rxjs vs redux-thunk vs redux-saga vs @ngrx/operators vs redux-observable
State Management and Asynchronous Programming in JavaScript Comparison
1 Year
rxjsredux-thunkredux-saga@ngrx/operatorsredux-observableSimilar Packages:
What's State Management and Asynchronous Programming in JavaScript?

State management and asynchronous programming are crucial concepts in JavaScript, especially in web development. They involve managing the application state (data) and handling operations that take time to complete, such as API calls. Effective state management ensures that the UI reflects the current state of the application, while asynchronous programming allows the application to perform tasks without blocking the user interface. This is essential for creating responsive and efficient web applications. Various libraries and patterns exist to handle these tasks, each with its own approach and use cases.

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rxjs65,638,46831,3584.5 MB2755 months agoApache-2.0
redux-thunk7,465,61917,76326.8 kB12 years agoMIT
redux-saga1,236,40922,524221 kB432 years agoMIT
@ngrx/operators465,9198,234236 kB742 months agoMIT
redux-observable266,5117,83069.1 kB692 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: rxjs vs redux-thunk vs redux-saga vs @ngrx/operators vs redux-observable

Asynchronous Handling

  • rxjs:

    rxjs is a library for reactive programming using Observables. It provides a powerful and flexible way to handle asynchronous data streams, events, and state changes. With RxJS, you can create, transform, and combine Observables to manage async operations in a declarative and composable way.

  • redux-thunk:

    redux-thunk is a middleware that allows you to write action creators that return a function instead of an action. This function can perform asynchronous operations, such as API calls, and dispatch actions based on the results. It is a simple and lightweight solution for handling async actions in Redux.

  • redux-saga:

    redux-saga manages asynchronous actions using generator functions. It allows you to write sagas that yield effects, such as API calls or delays, and handle the results in a more structured way. This approach makes it easier to manage complex async logic, cancellations, and error handling in a Redux application.

  • @ngrx/operators:

    @ngrx/operators provides a set of RxJS operators that are specifically designed for working with NgRx state management. It enhances the way you handle asynchronous actions and state changes in an Angular application by providing operators that integrate seamlessly with NgRx store and effects.

  • redux-observable:

    redux-observable uses RxJS to handle asynchronous actions in a Redux application. It allows you to create epic functions that listen to dispatched actions and return new actions based on the asynchronous logic you define. This makes it easy to manage complex async flows, such as API calls, in a declarative way.

Complexity

  • rxjs:

    rxjs is a powerful library for reactive programming, but it has a steep learning curve due to its extensive API and concepts like Observables, Subjects, and Operators. Once you understand the core concepts, it provides a flexible and efficient way to handle asynchronous data and events, but it may take time to fully grasp its capabilities.

  • redux-thunk:

    redux-thunk is a simple and lightweight middleware that adds minimal complexity to your Redux application. It allows you to write asynchronous logic in your action creators without requiring any additional setup or boilerplate code. This makes it a great choice for small to medium-sized applications that need basic async handling.

  • redux-saga:

    redux-saga adds complexity to your Redux application by introducing the concept of sagas and generator functions. However, this complexity is often justified for applications that require sophisticated handling of asynchronous actions, such as parallel execution, cancellation, and error handling. The use of generator functions can make the async logic more readable and maintainable once you are familiar with the pattern.

  • @ngrx/operators:

    @ngrx/operators is designed to work with NgRx, which is a state management library for Angular. It provides a set of operators that make it easier to work with the store and handle asynchronous actions. While it adds some complexity, it is well-documented and integrates seamlessly with Angular applications.

  • redux-observable:

    redux-observable introduces some complexity to your Redux setup, as it requires you to define epics and manage RxJS streams. However, it provides a powerful and flexible way to handle complex asynchronous logic and side effects in a declarative manner, making it easier to reason about and test your code.

Integration with Redux

  • rxjs:

    rxjs is not specifically tied to Redux, but it can be used alongside Redux or any other state management solution to handle asynchronous data streams and events. It provides a powerful set of tools for working with Observables, which can complement Redux's state management capabilities, especially when dealing with complex async logic or real-time data.

  • redux-thunk:

    redux-thunk is a middleware for Redux that allows you to write action creators that return a function instead of an action. This function can perform asynchronous operations and dispatch actions based on the results. It integrates seamlessly with Redux and is easy to use, making it a popular choice for handling simple to moderate asynchronous logic in Redux applications.

  • redux-saga:

    redux-saga is a middleware for Redux that manages side effects and asynchronous actions using generator functions. It integrates with Redux by allowing you to dispatch actions from within your sagas, making it easy to handle complex async flows while keeping your action creators and reducers pure. This separation of concerns helps maintain the integrity of the Redux architecture while providing a powerful tool for managing side effects.

  • @ngrx/operators:

    @ngrx/operators is specifically designed for use with NgRx, which is a state management library for Angular applications that follows the Redux pattern. It provides operators that integrate seamlessly with NgRx store and effects, making it easier to handle state changes and asynchronous actions in a reactive way.

  • redux-observable:

    redux-observable is a middleware for Redux that allows you to handle asynchronous actions using RxJS. It integrates well with the Redux architecture by allowing you to define epics that listen to dispatched actions and return new actions based on the asynchronous logic you define. This makes it a natural fit for applications that already use Redux for state management.

Code Example

  • rxjs:

    Example of using rxjs to handle async data streams:

    import { of, from } from 'rxjs';
    import { map, mergeMap } from 'rxjs/operators';
    
    // Create an Observable from an array
    const numbers$ = of(1, 2, 3, 4, 5);
    
    // Transform the data using map operator
    const squaredNumbers$ = numbers$.pipe(
      map(num => num * num)
    );
    
    // Subscribe to the Observable
    squaredNumbers$.subscribe(num => console.log(num));
    
    // Create an Observable from a Promise
    const fetchData = () => {
      return new Promise(resolve => {
        setTimeout(() => resolve('Data from Promise'), 2000);
      });
    };
    
    from(fetchData()).subscribe(data => console.log(data));
    

    This example demonstrates how to use rxjs to create and manipulate asynchronous data streams.

  • redux-thunk:

    Example of using redux-thunk to handle async actions:

    import { createStore, applyMiddleware } from 'redux';
    import thunk from 'redux-thunk';
    
    // Action Types
    const FETCH_DATA = 'FETCH_DATA';
    const FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS = 'FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS';
    
    // Action Creators
    const fetchData = () => ({ type: FETCH_DATA });
    const fetchDataSuccess = (data) => ({ type: FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS, payload: data });
    
    const fetchDataAsync = () => {
      return (dispatch) => {
        dispatch(fetchData());
        fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
          .then(response => response.json())
          .then(data => dispatch(fetchDataSuccess(data)));
      };
    };
    
    // Reducer
    const reducer = (state = [], action) => {
      switch (action.type) {
        case FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS:
          return action.payload;
        default:
          return state;
      }
    };
    
    // Create Store
    const store = createStore(reducer, applyMiddleware(thunk));
    
    // Dispatch Async Action
    store.dispatch(fetchDataAsync());
    

    This example demonstrates how to use redux-thunk to handle asynchronous actions in a Redux application.

  • redux-saga:

    Example of using redux-saga to handle async actions:

    import { createStore, applyMiddleware } from 'redux';
    import createSagaMiddleware, { takeEvery, call, put } from 'redux-saga';
    
    // Action Types
    const FETCH_DATA = 'FETCH_DATA';
    const FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS = 'FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS';
    
    // Action Creators
    const fetchData = () => ({ type: FETCH_DATA });
    const fetchDataSuccess = (data) => ({ type: FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS, payload: data });
    
    // Reducer
    const reducer = (state = [], action) => {
      switch (action.type) {
        case FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS:
          return action.payload;
        default:
          return state;
      }
    };
    
    // Saga
    function* fetchDataSaga() {
      const response = yield call(fetch, 'https://api.example.com/data');
      const data = yield response.json();
      yield put(fetchDataSuccess(data));
    }
    
    function* watchFetchData() {
      yield takeEvery(FETCH_DATA, fetchDataSaga);
    }
    
    // Create Saga Middleware
    const sagaMiddleware = createSagaMiddleware();
    const store = createStore(reducer, applyMiddleware(sagaMiddleware));
    
    // Run Saga
    sagaMiddleware.run(watchFetchData);
    
    // Dispatch Action
    store.dispatch(fetchData());
    

    This example demonstrates how to use redux-saga to handle asynchronous actions in a Redux application.

  • @ngrx/operators:

    Example of using @ngrx/operators with NgRx store in Angular:

    import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
    import { selectFeature } from './feature.selectors';
    import { tap } from 'rxjs/operators';
    import { Component } from '@angular/core';
    
    @Component({
      selector: 'app-feature',
      template: `<div *ngFor="let item of items">{{ item }}</div>`,
    })
    export class FeatureComponent {
      items$ = this.store.select(selectFeature).pipe(
        tap(items => console.log('Feature items:', items))
      );
    
      constructor(private store: Store) {}
    }
    

    This example shows how to use @ngrx/operators to select data from the NgRx store and log it to the console.

  • redux-observable:

    Example of using redux-observable to handle async actions:

    import { createStore, applyMiddleware } from 'redux';
    import { createEpicMiddleware, combineEpics } from 'redux-observable';
    import { ofType } from 'redux-observable';
    import { map, mergeMap } from 'rxjs/operators';
    
    // Action Types
    const FETCH_DATA = 'FETCH_DATA';
    const FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS = 'FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS';
    
    // Action Creators
    const fetchData = () => ({ type: FETCH_DATA });
    const fetchDataSuccess = (data) => ({ type: FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS, payload: data });
    
    // Reducer
    const reducer = (state = [], action) => {
      switch (action.type) {
        case FETCH_DATA_SUCCESS:
          return action.payload;
        default:
          return state;
      }
    };
    
    // Epic
    const fetchDataEpic = action$ =>
      action$.pipe(
        ofType(FETCH_DATA),
        mergeMap(() => {
          return fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
            .then(response => response.json())
            .then(data => fetchDataSuccess(data));
        })
      );
    
    // Create Epic Middleware
    const epicMiddleware = createEpicMiddleware();
    const store = createStore(reducer, applyMiddleware(epicMiddleware));
    
    // Run Epic
    epicMiddleware.run(fetchDataEpic);
    
    // Dispatch Action
    store.dispatch(fetchData());
    

    This example demonstrates how to use redux-observable to handle asynchronous actions in a Redux application.

How to Choose: rxjs vs redux-thunk vs redux-saga vs @ngrx/operators vs redux-observable
  • rxjs:

    Choose rxjs if you want a powerful library for reactive programming using Observables. It is not tied to any specific state management solution and can be used independently or with other libraries like NgRx or Redux to handle asynchronous data streams, events, and state changes in a more declarative and composable way.

  • redux-thunk:

    Choose redux-thunk if you need a simple and lightweight middleware for handling asynchronous actions in your Redux application. It allows you to write action creators that return a function instead of an action, making it easy to handle simple async logic without adding much complexity.

  • redux-saga:

    Choose redux-saga if you need a robust solution for managing complex asynchronous flows and side effects in your Redux application. It uses generator functions to handle side effects, making it easier to manage complex logic, cancellations, and error handling in a more readable and maintainable way.

  • @ngrx/operators:

    Choose @ngrx/operators if you are using Angular and want to leverage reactive programming with RxJS in your state management. It provides a set of operators specifically designed for integrating RxJS with NgRx, making it easier to handle complex asynchronous flows and state changes in a reactive manner.

  • redux-observable:

    Choose redux-observable if you are already using Redux and want to handle complex asynchronous actions using RxJS. It allows you to create epic functions that listen to actions and return new actions, making it a powerful tool for managing side effects in a reactive way.

README for rxjs

RxJS Logo RxJS: Reactive Extensions For JavaScript

CI npm version Join the chat at https://gitter.im/Reactive-Extensions/RxJS

The Roadmap from RxJS 7 to 8

Curious what's next for RxJS? Follow along with Issue 6367.

RxJS 7

FOR 6.X PLEASE GO TO THE 6.x BRANCH

Reactive Extensions Library for JavaScript. This is a rewrite of Reactive-Extensions/RxJS and is the latest production-ready version of RxJS. This rewrite is meant to have better performance, better modularity, better debuggable call stacks, while staying mostly backwards compatible, with some breaking changes that reduce the API surface.

Apache 2.0 License

Versions In This Repository

  • master - This is all of the current work, which is against v7 of RxJS right now
  • 6.x - This is the branch for version 6.X

Most PRs should be made to master.

Important

By contributing or commenting on issues in this repository, whether you've read them or not, you're agreeing to the Contributor Code of Conduct. Much like traffic laws, ignorance doesn't grant you immunity.

Installation and Usage

ES6 via npm

npm install rxjs

It's recommended to pull in the Observable creation methods you need directly from 'rxjs' as shown below with range. If you're using RxJS version 7.2 or above, you can pull in any operator you need from the same spot, 'rxjs'.

import { range, filter, map } from 'rxjs';

range(1, 200)
  .pipe(
    filter(x => x % 2 === 1),
    map(x => x + x)
  )
  .subscribe(x => console.log(x));

If you're using RxJS version below 7.2, you can pull in any operator you need from one spot, under 'rxjs/operators'.

import { range } from 'rxjs';
import { filter, map } from 'rxjs/operators';

range(1, 200)
  .pipe(
    filter(x => x % 2 === 1),
    map(x => x + x)
  )
  .subscribe(x => console.log(x));

CDN

For CDN, you can use unpkg:

https://unpkg.com/rxjs@^7/dist/bundles/rxjs.umd.min.js

The global namespace for rxjs is rxjs:

const { range } = rxjs;
const { filter, map } = rxjs.operators;

range(1, 200)
  .pipe(
    filter(x => x % 2 === 1),
    map(x => x + x)
  )
  .subscribe(x => console.log(x));

Goals

  • Smaller overall bundles sizes
  • Provide better performance than preceding versions of RxJS
  • To model/follow the Observable Spec Proposal to the observable
  • Provide more modular file structure in a variety of formats
  • Provide more debuggable call stacks than preceding versions of RxJS

Building/Testing

  • npm run compile build everything
  • npm test run tests
  • npm run dtslint run dtslint tests

Adding documentation

We appreciate all contributions to the documentation of any type. All of the information needed to get the docs app up and running locally as well as how to contribute can be found in the documentation directory.