Using this.userId vs Meteor.userId() - Which option is better and why?

Question

Using this.userId vs Meteor.userId() - Which option is better and why?

After reading this insightful comment by David Glasser on GitHub:

this.userId is considered the primary API, while Meteor.userId() is just a convenient shortcut for those who are new to JavaScript and may not fully grasp how to effectively utilize this.userId yet.

It appears that it would be best practice to use this.userId whenever possible, especially within method functions where both options are available, reserving Meteor.userId() strictly for publish functions. If this is indeed the recommended approach, then why?

(Any insights provided through references to specific sections of code would be greatly appreciated as well; I am having trouble locating them)

javascript mongodb meteor meteor-accounts ddp

Answer 1

Answer №1

Your query appears to blend together Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user(). The main text of the inquiry pertains to the former, while the subject line delves into the latter. Let's address both aspects.

When within a publish function on the server, invoking either Meteor.userId() or Meteor.user() will result in an error. Instead, opt for using this.userId or
```
Meteor.users.findOne(this.userId)
```
, respectively. Keep in mind that the publish function is triggered only upon client subscription. If you wish for the publication to adjust when the user record changes, you'll have to employ observe() on the cursor returned by Meteor.users.find(this.userId) and take necessary steps when the record alters.
During processing of a method call on the server, Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user() correspond to the ID of the calling user and their respective record. However, bear in mind that calls to Meteor.user() trigger a DB query due to being essentially equivalent to
```
Meteor.users.findOne(Meteor.userId())
```
.

Within a method call directly, you can also leverage this.userId instead of Meteor.userId(), although any noticeable performance variance is unlikely. Upon receipt of the method call by the server, it executes your method implementation with the user's ID (and additional info) stashed in a specific slot on the fiber. Meteor.userId() simply retrieves the ID from the slot on the current fiber, ensuring swift access.

Reworking code using Meteor.userId() is typically simpler than utilizing this.userId, since you cannot use this.userId beyond the method body (e.g., this lacks a 'userId' property within a function called from the method body) and it isn't usable on the client side.
On the client end, Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user() won't cause errors, while this.userId won't function as expected. Calls to Meteor.user() are basically akin to
```
Meteor.users.findOne(Meteor.userId())
```
, yet given this triggers a mini-mongo DB query, performance considerations may not apply. Nonetheless, for security purposes, the object yielded by Meteor.user() might be incomplete (particularly without the autopublish package).

Answer 2

Your query appears to blend together Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user(). The main text of the inquiry pertains to the former, while the subject line delves into the latter. Let's address both aspects.

When within a publish function on the server, invoking either Meteor.userId() or Meteor.user() will result in an error. Instead, opt for using this.userId or
```
Meteor.users.findOne(this.userId)
```
, respectively. Keep in mind that the publish function is triggered only upon client subscription. If you wish for the publication to adjust when the user record changes, you'll have to employ observe() on the cursor returned by Meteor.users.find(this.userId) and take necessary steps when the record alters.
During processing of a method call on the server, Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user() correspond to the ID of the calling user and their respective record. However, bear in mind that calls to Meteor.user() trigger a DB query due to being essentially equivalent to
```
Meteor.users.findOne(Meteor.userId())
```
.

Within a method call directly, you can also leverage this.userId instead of Meteor.userId(), although any noticeable performance variance is unlikely. Upon receipt of the method call by the server, it executes your method implementation with the user's ID (and additional info) stashed in a specific slot on the fiber. Meteor.userId() simply retrieves the ID from the slot on the current fiber, ensuring swift access.

Reworking code using Meteor.userId() is typically simpler than utilizing this.userId, since you cannot use this.userId beyond the method body (e.g., this lacks a 'userId' property within a function called from the method body) and it isn't usable on the client side.
On the client end, Meteor.userId() and Meteor.user() won't cause errors, while this.userId won't function as expected. Calls to Meteor.user() are basically akin to
```
Meteor.users.findOne(Meteor.userId())
```
, yet given this triggers a mini-mongo DB query, performance considerations may not apply. Nonetheless, for security purposes, the object yielded by Meteor.user() might be incomplete (particularly without the autopublish package).

Answer 3

Answer №2

Put simply, whenever you call Meteor.userId(), it will make a database query. When used on the client side, this process seems fine because of minimongo.

However, on the server side, using Meteor.userId() can consume additional resources which may not always be desired.

On the other hand, this.userId behaves more like a session variable and only holds a value when there is a user ID associated with the current session. This means that referencing 'this' won't trigger a database query every time, but will instead use the active session's user ID.

When considering performance, it is important to note that this.userId is preferred over Meteor.userId for this reason.

Answer 4

Put simply, whenever you call Meteor.userId(), it will make a database query. When used on the client side, this process seems fine because of minimongo.

However, on the server side, using Meteor.userId() can consume additional resources which may not always be desired.

On the other hand, this.userId behaves more like a session variable and only holds a value when there is a user ID associated with the current session. This means that referencing 'this' won't trigger a database query every time, but will instead use the active session's user ID.

When considering performance, it is important to note that this.userId is preferred over Meteor.userId for this reason.

Using this.userId vs Meteor.userId() - Which option is better and why?

Answer №1

Answer №2

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