JavaScript Utility Libraries and Reactive Programming Comparison
lodash vs rxjs vs rxjs-compat
1 Year
lodashrxjsrxjs-compatSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Utility Libraries and Reactive Programming?

Lodash is a modern JavaScript utility library that provides modular methods for common programming tasks, enhancing productivity by simplifying array, object, and function manipulations. RxJS, or Reactive Extensions for JavaScript, is a library for composing asynchronous and event-based programs using observable sequences, enabling developers to handle asynchronous data streams effectively. RxJS-compat serves as a bridge for projects transitioning from RxJS version 5 to version 6, allowing developers to use deprecated APIs while upgrading their codebase.

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lodash55,139,66259,952-1014 years agoMIT
rxjs44,688,01630,8524.5 MB2702 years agoApache-2.0
rxjs-compat283,980---4 years agoApache-2.0
Feature Comparison: lodash vs rxjs vs rxjs-compat

Functionality

  • lodash:

    Lodash provides a wide range of utility functions for common programming tasks, such as manipulating arrays, objects, and strings. It includes methods for deep cloning, merging objects, debouncing functions, and performing complex data transformations, which can significantly reduce the amount of boilerplate code and improve code readability.

  • rxjs:

    RxJS offers a powerful set of operators for creating, transforming, and combining observable streams. It allows developers to handle asynchronous data flows with ease, providing operators for filtering, mapping, reducing, and error handling, making it suitable for complex event-driven applications.

  • rxjs-compat:

    RxJS-compat allows developers to use deprecated APIs from RxJS version 5 while transitioning to version 6. It provides a temporary solution for maintaining existing codebases without immediate refactoring, ensuring that applications continue to function during the upgrade process.

Learning Curve

  • lodash:

    Lodash has a relatively low learning curve, especially for developers familiar with JavaScript. Its API is intuitive, and the functions are straightforward to use, making it easy to integrate into projects without significant overhead.

  • rxjs:

    RxJS has a steeper learning curve due to its reactive programming paradigm and the concept of observables. Developers need to understand how to work with streams and the various operators available, which can be challenging for those new to reactive programming.

  • rxjs-compat:

    RxJS-compat does not introduce additional complexity, as it serves primarily as a compatibility layer. However, understanding the differences between RxJS versions is important for effective usage during the transition.

Performance

  • lodash:

    Lodash is optimized for performance and can handle large datasets efficiently. It employs lazy evaluation for certain operations, which can improve performance by deferring execution until necessary, thus reducing memory usage and processing time.

  • rxjs:

    RxJS is designed for high-performance asynchronous programming. Its use of observables allows for efficient handling of data streams, and operators are optimized for performance, enabling developers to create responsive applications that can handle large volumes of events without lag.

  • rxjs-compat:

    RxJS-compat may introduce some performance overhead due to the use of deprecated APIs. However, it is a temporary solution, and developers are encouraged to migrate to the latest RxJS features for optimal performance.

Extensibility

  • lodash:

    Lodash is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom utility functions and extend existing ones. It supports method chaining, enabling a more functional programming style that can lead to cleaner and more maintainable code.

  • rxjs:

    RxJS is also extensible, allowing developers to create custom operators and extend the observable functionality. This flexibility enables the creation of reusable components that can be shared across applications, enhancing code modularity and maintainability.

  • rxjs-compat:

    RxJS-compat itself is not extensible, as it is primarily a compatibility layer. However, it allows developers to maintain existing custom operators from version 5 while transitioning to version 6.

Community and Ecosystem

  • lodash:

    Lodash has a large and active community, with extensive documentation and a wide range of plugins available. Its popularity ensures that developers can find support and resources easily, facilitating faster problem-solving and learning.

  • rxjs:

    RxJS has a growing community, especially among developers working with Angular and other reactive frameworks. Its ecosystem includes various libraries and tools that complement its functionality, providing a robust environment for building reactive applications.

  • rxjs-compat:

    RxJS-compat is maintained as part of the RxJS ecosystem to support developers during their transition. While it does not have a separate community, it benefits from the existing support structures of RxJS.

How to Choose: lodash vs rxjs vs rxjs-compat
  • lodash:

    Choose Lodash if you need a comprehensive set of utility functions to simplify common programming tasks, such as deep cloning, data manipulation, and function throttling. It's ideal for projects that require extensive data handling and transformation.

  • rxjs:

    Choose RxJS if your application heavily relies on asynchronous data streams or events, such as user interactions, WebSocket connections, or API calls. It is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to manage complex asynchronous workflows and event handling.

  • rxjs-compat:

    Choose RxJS-compat if you are in the process of upgrading an existing application from RxJS version 5 to version 6 and need to maintain compatibility with deprecated APIs during the transition.

README for lodash

lodash v4.17.21

The Lodash library exported as Node.js modules.

Installation

Using npm:

$ npm i -g npm
$ npm i --save lodash

In Node.js:

// Load the full build.
var _ = require('lodash');
// Load the core build.
var _ = require('lodash/core');
// Load the FP build for immutable auto-curried iteratee-first data-last methods.
var fp = require('lodash/fp');

// Load method categories.
var array = require('lodash/array');
var object = require('lodash/fp/object');

// Cherry-pick methods for smaller browserify/rollup/webpack bundles.
var at = require('lodash/at');
var curryN = require('lodash/fp/curryN');

See the package source for more details.

Note:
Install n_ for Lodash use in the Node.js < 6 REPL.

Support

Tested in Chrome 74-75, Firefox 66-67, IE 11, Edge 18, Safari 11-12, & Node.js 8-12.
Automated browser & CI test runs are available.