Which is Better JavaScript Object Merging Libraries?
object-assign vs deepmerge vs lodash.merge vs merge vs lodash.assign vs assign-deep
1 Year
object-assigndeepmergelodash.mergemergelodash.assignassign-deepSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Object Merging Libraries?

These libraries provide utilities for merging JavaScript objects, allowing developers to combine properties from multiple sources into a single object. This is particularly useful in scenarios where configuration objects or state management requires combining data from various sources. Each library has its own approach and features, catering to different needs such as deep merging, mutability, and performance considerations.

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object-assign41,851,452922-08 years agoMIT
deepmerge35,702,1022,75631.2 kB542 years agoMIT
lodash.merge33,945,68759,738-1085 years agoMIT
merge2,201,186177-114 years agoMIT
lodash.assign1,976,12859,738-1088 years agoMIT
assign-deep50,30878-75 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: object-assign vs deepmerge vs lodash.merge vs merge vs lodash.assign vs assign-deep

Merging Strategy

  • object-assign: object-assign performs a shallow merge, copying properties from source objects to the target object without merging nested properties, which can lead to overwriting existing values.
  • deepmerge: deepmerge allows for customizable merging strategies, enabling developers to define how properties should be merged. It supports both deep and shallow merges, making it versatile for various scenarios.
  • lodash.merge: lodash.merge offers deep merging capabilities, merging properties recursively and handling arrays and objects effectively, ensuring that all levels of the object structure are considered during the merge process.
  • merge: merge supports deep merging and is designed to be simple and intuitive, making it easy to combine properties from multiple objects while preserving existing values in nested structures.
  • lodash.assign: lodash.assign provides shallow merging, meaning only the top-level properties are merged. It does not merge nested objects, making it faster but less comprehensive than deep merging solutions.
  • assign-deep: assign-deep performs a deep merge, recursively merging properties of nested objects. It ensures that existing values are preserved unless overridden by the source object.

Performance

  • object-assign: object-assign is extremely fast for shallow merges, making it ideal for scenarios where performance is critical and deep merging is unnecessary.
  • deepmerge: deepmerge is designed to handle complex merging scenarios efficiently, but the performance may degrade with very large or deeply nested objects due to its recursive nature.
  • lodash.merge: lodash.merge is optimized for deep merging but may have performance implications with very large datasets due to its recursive approach, which can lead to increased processing time.
  • merge: merge is lightweight and performs well for most use cases, offering a good balance between functionality and performance for deep merging tasks.
  • lodash.assign: lodash.assign is highly performant for shallow merges, making it suitable for scenarios where deep merging is not required, as it avoids the overhead of recursion.
  • assign-deep: assign-deep is optimized for deep merging, but performance can vary based on the complexity of the objects being merged. It is generally efficient for moderately sized objects.

Use Cases

  • object-assign: object-assign is useful for merging simple objects in environments that support ES5, such as combining properties in a lightweight manner.
  • deepmerge: deepmerge is suitable for complex applications where different merging strategies are required, such as merging user settings or combining data from multiple sources with varying structures.
  • lodash.merge: lodash.merge is perfect for applications that require deep merging of objects, such as state management in Redux or combining deeply nested configuration settings.
  • merge: merge is versatile for general-purpose object merging, making it suitable for various applications where deep merging is needed without additional complexity.
  • lodash.assign: lodash.assign is best used in cases where you need to combine simple objects without worrying about nested properties, such as merging flat configuration objects.
  • assign-deep: assign-deep is ideal for scenarios where you need to deeply merge configuration objects or state management in applications, ensuring that nested properties are accurately combined.

Library Size

  • object-assign: object-assign is very lightweight, making it an excellent choice for projects that require minimal overhead.
  • deepmerge: deepmerge is also lightweight, focusing on providing deep merging functionality without unnecessary bloat, making it suitable for modern applications.
  • lodash.merge: lodash.merge, like lodash.assign, contributes to a larger bundle size due to its comprehensive utility library, which may be a consideration for performance-sensitive applications.
  • merge: merge is a small library, making it a great option for projects that need deep merging without adding significant weight to the application.
  • lodash.assign: lodash.assign is part of the larger Lodash library, which can increase bundle size if not tree-shaken properly, but it offers extensive utility functions.
  • assign-deep: assign-deep is relatively small, making it a lightweight choice for projects that prioritize minimal bundle size while still needing deep merging capabilities.

Community and Support

  • object-assign: object-assign has a smaller community but is straightforward to use, with adequate documentation for developers looking for basic object merging functionality.
  • deepmerge: deepmerge has a growing community and is actively maintained, providing good documentation and support for developers needing customizable merging strategies.
  • lodash.merge: lodash.merge enjoys strong community support and extensive documentation, making it a go-to choice for deep merging within the Lodash ecosystem.
  • merge: merge has a moderate community presence, with sufficient documentation and examples available for developers, though it may not be as widely adopted as Lodash.
  • lodash.assign: lodash.assign benefits from the extensive Lodash community, with a wealth of resources, documentation, and support available for users.
  • assign-deep: assign-deep has a smaller community compared to Lodash but is well-documented and maintained, making it reliable for developers looking for deep merging solutions.
How to Choose: object-assign vs deepmerge vs lodash.merge vs merge vs lodash.assign vs assign-deep
  • object-assign: Select object-assign if you need a simple, performant way to merge properties of objects without deep merging, especially in environments that support ES5.
  • deepmerge: Select deepmerge for a more robust solution that allows for customizable merging strategies, making it ideal for complex data structures where you need fine control over how properties are combined.
  • lodash.merge: Use lodash.merge when you require deep merging capabilities within the Lodash ecosystem, benefiting from its extensive utility functions and consistent performance across various data types.
  • merge: Choose merge for a lightweight and straightforward merging solution that supports deep merging and is easy to use, making it suitable for most general use cases without additional dependencies.
  • lodash.assign: Opt for lodash.assign if you are already using Lodash and need a straightforward way to merge objects without deep merging, focusing on shallow merging for performance and simplicity.
  • assign-deep: Choose assign-deep if you need a simple and effective way to deeply merge properties of objects, especially when you want to ensure that nested properties are merged recursively without losing existing values.
README for object-assign

object-assign Build Status

ES2015 Object.assign() ponyfill

Use the built-in

Node.js 4 and up, as well as every evergreen browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari), support Object.assign() :tada:. If you target only those environments, then by all means, use Object.assign() instead of this package.

Install

$ npm install --save object-assign

Usage

const objectAssign = require('object-assign');

objectAssign({foo: 0}, {bar: 1});
//=> {foo: 0, bar: 1}

// multiple sources
objectAssign({foo: 0}, {bar: 1}, {baz: 2});
//=> {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}

// overwrites equal keys
objectAssign({foo: 0}, {foo: 1}, {foo: 2});
//=> {foo: 2}

// ignores null and undefined sources
objectAssign({foo: 0}, null, {bar: 1}, undefined);
//=> {foo: 0, bar: 1}

API

objectAssign(target, [source, ...])

Assigns enumerable own properties of source objects to the target object and returns the target object. Additional source objects will overwrite previous ones.

Resources

Related

License

MIT © Sindre Sorhus