Coordinating a series of maneuvers

Question

Coordinating a series of maneuvers

When it comes to coordinating multiple sequential actions in Redux, I find it a bit confusing. I have an application with a summary panel on the left and a CRUD panel on the right. My goal is to have the app automatically update the summary after a CRUD operation. However, I also want the flexibility to refresh the summary and perform CRUD actions independently of each other. Essentially, I don't want one action to be dependent on another in the sequence. Is there a recommended way to achieve this coordination without coupling my action creators?

For instance, take a look at the thunk action creator for clearing a collection of entities (a CRUD action). Currently, it tightly integrates the fetchSummary() dispatch.

export function clearCollection(collection) {
    return function(dispatch) {
        dispatch(requestCollectionClear(collection));

        return doClearCollection(collection)
            .then(function(coll) { 
                dispatch(receiveCollectionCleared(coll))
            })
            .then(function() {
                dispatch(fetchSummary()); // <-- How do I chain actions without tight coupling?
            });
            // TODO: .catch()
    }
}

The requestCollectionClear() initiates the asynchronous action, while fetchSummary() handles the subsequent step in the workflow. What's the best approach to separate fetchSummary() from clearCollection(), making them independent for individual use?

javascript redux

Answer 1

Answer №1

If I understand correctly, your CRUD operations update collection data and the summary displays a version of this data. To address this issue, consider restructuring your application approach.

Your state should consist of an object with a key for "collections," and reducers should work on this object. For example, a method like clearCollections would empty the array, while fetchCollections would retrieve fresh data from the server for the collections key.

Subsequently, the summary can subscribe to the store and showcase the latest value for the collections key without tight coupling.

UPDATE: It seems you are asking how to coordinate between the server and client regarding data handling. One approach is to fetch collection data during app loading, populate the Redux store with this data by dispatching an action:

// Fetch data
$.ajax({
  url: '/collections',
  method: 'GET',
  success: function(response) {
    // Dispatch action to populate Redux store
    store.dispatch(setCollections(response));
  }
});

For updating data, like adding a new collection, you can do the following:

// Update Redux store to reflect changes in UI.
store.dispatch(addCollection(someNewData));

Then, update the server and reconcile upon response:

$.ajax({
  url: '/collections',
  method: 'POST',
  data: {collection: someCollection},
  success: function(response) {
    // Update client if needed
    store.dispatch(setCollections(response))
  }
});

Action creators and reducers should be structured as follows:

// Action creators:
function setCollections(collections) {
  return {type: 'setCollections', collections: collections}
}

function addCollection(collection) {
  return {type: 'addCollection', collection: collection}
}

// Reducer
function reduceCollections(state = initialState, action) {
  if (action.type === 'setCollections') {
    return {collections: action.collections}

  } else if (action.type === 'addCollection') {
    return {
      collections: state.collections.concat([action.collection])
    }

  } else {
    return state
  }
}

The implementation details are flexible, so feel free to customize based on your preferences. The provided examples aim to simplify the concept, but you can utilize thunks for async calls and different approaches for reducers if desired.

Answer 2

If I understand correctly, your CRUD operations update collection data and the summary displays a version of this data. To address this issue, consider restructuring your application approach.

Your state should consist of an object with a key for "collections," and reducers should work on this object. For example, a method like clearCollections would empty the array, while fetchCollections would retrieve fresh data from the server for the collections key.

Subsequently, the summary can subscribe to the store and showcase the latest value for the collections key without tight coupling.

UPDATE: It seems you are asking how to coordinate between the server and client regarding data handling. One approach is to fetch collection data during app loading, populate the Redux store with this data by dispatching an action:

// Fetch data
$.ajax({
  url: '/collections',
  method: 'GET',
  success: function(response) {
    // Dispatch action to populate Redux store
    store.dispatch(setCollections(response));
  }
});

For updating data, like adding a new collection, you can do the following:

// Update Redux store to reflect changes in UI.
store.dispatch(addCollection(someNewData));

Then, update the server and reconcile upon response:

$.ajax({
  url: '/collections',
  method: 'POST',
  data: {collection: someCollection},
  success: function(response) {
    // Update client if needed
    store.dispatch(setCollections(response))
  }
});

Action creators and reducers should be structured as follows:

// Action creators:
function setCollections(collections) {
  return {type: 'setCollections', collections: collections}
}

function addCollection(collection) {
  return {type: 'addCollection', collection: collection}
}

// Reducer
function reduceCollections(state = initialState, action) {
  if (action.type === 'setCollections') {
    return {collections: action.collections}

  } else if (action.type === 'addCollection') {
    return {
      collections: state.collections.concat([action.collection])
    }

  } else {
    return state
  }
}

The implementation details are flexible, so feel free to customize based on your preferences. The provided examples aim to simplify the concept, but you can utilize thunks for async calls and different approaches for reducers if desired.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Looking at this with a new perspective and increased knowledge after three years, I would opt to externalize the state transitions by utilizing a tool such as XState. By implementing a state machine to manage transitions and using Redux to handle the data, we can ensure that components receive updated events efficiently.

Answer 4

Looking at this with a new perspective and increased knowledge after three years, I would opt to externalize the state transitions by utilizing a tool such as XState. By implementing a state machine to manage transitions and using Redux to handle the data, we can ensure that components receive updated events efficiently.

Answer 5

Answer №3

In order to rephrase your issue, you are aiming for your CRUD operations to retrieve a summary after they have finished, without having the actions directly interact with the summary.

An effective approach could be to introduce a flag (such as stale) in the state for the summary. Within the reducer function, set this flag to true for the summary each time a receive action is triggered by any of the CRUD actions. This way, the actions remain independent, yet ensure a sequential update. The summary can then observe all the actions dynamically.

To proceed further, it would be wise to check the value of the stale flag within the summary container. If you are utilizing React, consider implementing the componentWillUpdate method (here). This will allow you to initiate the fetchSummary action accordingly. Additionally, you may want to include this logic during the initial rendering using componentDidMount (here).

Answer 6

In order to rephrase your issue, you are aiming for your CRUD operations to retrieve a summary after they have finished, without having the actions directly interact with the summary.

An effective approach could be to introduce a flag (such as stale) in the state for the summary. Within the reducer function, set this flag to true for the summary each time a receive action is triggered by any of the CRUD actions. This way, the actions remain independent, yet ensure a sequential update. The summary can then observe all the actions dynamically.

To proceed further, it would be wise to check the value of the stale flag within the summary container. If you are utilizing React, consider implementing the componentWillUpdate method (here). This will allow you to initiate the fetchSummary action accordingly. Additionally, you may want to include this logic during the initial rendering using componentDidMount (here).

Coordinating a series of maneuvers

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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