Vue 3: A Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Version of Vue.js

Table of Contents

Brief introduction to Vue.js

Vue.js, often referred to as just “Vue,” is a progressive JavaScript framework that enables developers to create modern, interactive web applications with ease. Launched in 2014 by Evan You, it has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its simplicity, flexibility, and performance. With a relatively small learning curve and robust documentation, Vue.js has become an attractive option for beginners and experienced developers alike.

Detailed article: A Comprehensive Guide to Vue.js 

The Importance of Vue.js in Modern Web Development

In the realm of modern web development, Vue.js plays a crucial role in helping developers build scalable and reactive applications. It provides a smooth and easy-to-understand way of managing components, handling events, and updating the DOM. Moreover, its reactive data-binding system makes it effortless to sync the data model with the UI, ensuring a seamless user experience.

As web applications become more complex, Vue.js’s component-based architecture proves to be vital. This approach promotes code reusability and maintainability, enabling developers to write clean and modular code. As a result, Vue.js has become a go-to choice for creating web applications of various sizes and complexities.

Introducing Vue 3 and Its Key Features

Vue 3, the latest version of the framework, comes packed with several new features and improvements, making it even more powerful and developer-friendly. Here’s a table highlighting some of the key features of Vue 3:

Feature Description Example
Composition API A new way to organize component logic, making it more scalable and maintainable. Instead of using the Options API (data, methods, computed, etc.), developers can now use the Composition API to write their component logic in a more composable and flexible way, like using the ref and reactive functions to create reactive data.
Improved Performance Significant performance optimizations, including faster rendering and smaller bundle sizes. Vue 3 features a new virtual DOM implementation, which improves rendering performance by up to 2x. Additionally, it uses a tree-shaking technique that eliminates unused code, resulting in smaller bundle sizes.
Multiple Root Elements Allows components to have multiple root elements instead of being limited to just one. In Vue 2, a component could only have a single root element, often requiring additional wrapper elements. In Vue 3, components can have multiple root elements, allowing for cleaner and more efficient code.
Suspense A built-in component to handle asynchronous operations, making it easier to handle loading states. With the Suspense component, you can easily manage asynchronous operations like fetching data or lazy-loading components, and provide fallback content while the data is being loaded. For example: <Suspense> <template #default> <MyAsyncComponent /> </template> <template #fallback> <div>Loading...</div> </template> </Suspense>
Teleport Allows developers to move a part of a component’s template to another part of the DOM outside the component. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with modals, pop-ups, or tooltips, as it enables you to render specific parts of a component outside its DOM tree. For instance, you can create a modal component that renders within a specific container element in the main DOM tree, even though the modal component is defined within another component: <Teleport to="#modal-container"> <div class="modal"> This is a modal </div> </Teleport>
Improved TypeScript Support Enhanced TypeScript integration, making it easier to work with

Detailed article: Demystifying the Vue Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Vue 3: An Overview

Vue 3 Release Date

Vue 3 was officially released on September 18, 2020. This major update to the framework introduced numerous features and improvements, making it an even more powerful and developer-friendly tool for creating web applications.

Key Improvements in Vue 3

Here’s an overview of the key changes in Vue 3, along with specific examples:

Improvement Description Example
Composition API A new way to organize component logic, providing better scalability and maintainability. Use ref and reactive functions to create reactive data instead of relying on the Options API (data, methods, computed, etc.).
Performance Enhancements Faster rendering and smaller bundle sizes due to a new virtual DOM implementation and tree-shaking techniques. Vue 3’s new virtual DOM can improve rendering performance by up to 2x.
Multiple Root Elements Components can now have multiple root elements, allowing for cleaner and more efficient code. In Vue 2, components required a single root element, often leading to additional wrapper elements. In Vue 3, this limitation has been removed.
Suspense Component Simplifies handling asynchronous operations and loading states with a built-in component. Easily manage tasks like fetching data or lazy-loading components: <Suspense> <template #default> <MyAsyncComponent /> </template> <template #fallback> <div>Loading...</div> </template> </Suspense>
Teleport Component Render specific parts of a component outside its DOM tree, useful for modals, pop-ups, and tooltips. Render a modal component within a specific container element in the main DOM tree: <Teleport to="#modal-container"> <div class="modal"> This is a modal </div> </Teleport>
Improved TypeScript Support Better integration with TypeScript for enhanced type checking, autocompletion, and refactoring capabilities. Improved TypeScript support makes it easier to work with Vue.js and TypeScript together, resulting in better development experiences.
Fragment Return an array of elements from the render function without the need for a wrapper element. In the render function, you can return an array of elements without requiring a wrapper element: render() { return [ <h1>Hello</h1>, <p>Vue 3 is awesome!</p> ]; }
Custom Renderer API Create custom renderers tailored to specific platforms, such as WebGL or native mobile apps, for more flexibility. The Custom Renderer API opens up new possibilities for using Vue.js beyond traditional web applications.

Migrating from Vue 2 to Vue 3

Migrating from Vue 2 to Vue 3 is a step-by-step process that can be relatively smooth, depending on the complexity of your application. Here are some general steps to guide you through the process:

  1. Update dependencies: Ensure that all your dependencies, including third-party libraries and plugins, are compatible with Vue 3.
  2. Install Vue 3: Replace Vue 2 with Vue 3 in your project by updating the package.json file or using the appropriate package manager command.
  3. Refactor your components: Update your components to use Vue 3’s new features, such as the Composition API, multiple root elements, or the Teleport component. This step will require you to review your existing code and make the necessary changes.
  4. Adopt new best practices: Vue 3 introduces new best practices and patterns that you should consider adopting in your project. For example, you may want to switch to using the Composition API instead of the Options API, or start using the Suspense component for managing asynchronous operations.
  5. Update your build process: If you are using a custom build process, update your build configuration to work with Vue 3. This may involve updating your Webpack or Rollup configuration, as well as any loaders or plugins.
  6. Test your application: After making all the necessary changes, thoroughly test your application to ensure everything is working as expected. Be sure to test different browsers and devices to verify compatibility.
  7. Review the official migration guide: The official Vue 3 migration guide provides an extensive list of changes between Vue 2 and Vue 3. Use this resource to ensure you have addressed all the relevant changes in your application.
  8. Leverage migration tools: The Vue team has provided a migration build to help you identify and fix issues during the migration process. This build provides runtime warnings for incompatible usage patterns, helping you update your code accordingly.
  9. By following these steps and making use of the resources provided by the Vue team, you can successfully migrate your application from Vue 2 to Vue 3. Remember to be patient and thorough during the process, as some changes may require more attention and time than others.

Getting Started with Vue 3

Setting up your development environment

Before diving into creating your first Vue 3 project, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

  1. Familiarity with the command line
  2. Node.js version 16.0 or higher installed

Creating your first Vue 3 project

In this section, we will walk you through creating a Vue Single Page Application (SPA) on your local machine using the official Vue project scaffolding tool. Follow the steps below to create your first Vue 3 project:

Open your command line and run the following command (without the > sign):

> npm init vue@latest

This command will install and execute create-vue, presenting you with prompts for several optional features like TypeScript and testing support. If you’re unsure about an option, simply choose “No” by hitting enter for now.

After the project is created, follow the instructions to install dependencies and start the development server:

> cd <your-project-name>
> npm install
> npm run dev

You should now have your first Vue project running! The example components in the generated project use the Composition API and <script setup> instead of the Options API.

Understanding the Vue 3 Project Structure with Component Examples

When you create a Vue 3 project, you’ll notice a specific folder and file structure. Here’s a brief overview of the main components, along with examples of typical Vue components you might create within your project:

public:

Contains the static assets for your project, such as images or fonts.

src:

Contains the source code for your Vue components and main application logic.

components:

A folder for your Vue components. Examples of components you might create include:

Header.vue:

A component for your website’s header, containing the logo and navigation links.

Footer.vue:

A component for your website’s footer, including copyright information and social media links.

PostList.vue:

A component that displays a list of blog posts or articles.

LoginForm.vue:

A component with a form for users to log in to your application.

App.vue:

The root Vue component, which typically includes the main layout and global components like the Header.vue and Footer.vue.

main.js:

The entry point for your application, where the Vue instance is created and mounted.

package.json:

A file that contains information about your project, its dependencies, and scripts.

README.md:

A file that provides documentation about your project.

As you work on your Vue 3 project, you’ll add and modify components within the src folder. When you’re ready to deploy your app to production, run the following command: 

> npm run build

This will create a production-ready build of your app in the project’s ./dist directory. Check out the Production Deployment Guide to learn more about shipping your app to production.

Now that you’ve successfully created your first Vue 3 project and understand its structure, you’re ready to dive deeper into Vue.js and start building amazing web applications!

Core Concepts of Vue 3

Vue 3 is a popular JavaScript framework for building user interfaces. It has a simple, flexible, and powerful architecture, which makes it easy for beginners to pick up and integrate into their projects. In this section, we will discuss the core concepts of Vue 3, including its data and methods.

Understanding Vue Components

Vue components are an essential part of Vue.js, as they allow you to create reusable and modular pieces of code. This helps you to build complex UIs while keeping your code organized and maintainable. In this tutorial, we’ll go through some basic concepts of Vue components, and provide examples and instructions to help you get started. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – we’ll use simple language and be as friendly and accurate as possible.

Component Basics

Components in Vue.js allow you to break your UI into independent, reusable parts. This enables you to think about each piece in isolation and organize your app in a tree of nested components. This is similar to how we nest native HTML elements, but with Vue components, you can encapsulate custom content and logic in each component.

Detailed article: Demystifying the Vue Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Defining a Component

In Vue, you typically define components using the .vue extension in a dedicated file, which is known as a Single-File Component (SFC). Here’s an example:

<script>
export default {
  data() {
    return {
      count: 0
    }
  }
}
</script>

<template>
  <button @click="count++">You clicked me {{ count }} times.</button>
</template>

When not using a build step, a Vue component can be defined as a plain JavaScript object containing Vue-specific options:

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      count: 0
    }
  },
  template: `
    <button @click="count++">
      You clicked me {{ count }} times.
    </button>`
}

Using a Component

To use a child component, you need to import it in the parent component. For example, if we have a counter component called ButtonCounter.vue, we can import it like this: 

<script>
import ButtonCounter from './ButtonCounter.vue'

export default {
  components: {
    ButtonCounter
  }
}
</script>

<template>
  <h1>Here is a child component!</h1>
  <ButtonCounter />
</template>

By registering the imported component with the components option, it becomes available as a tag using the key it is registered under. Components can be reused as many times as you want, like this:

<h1>Here are many child components!</h1>
<ButtonCounter />
<ButtonCounter />
<ButtonCounter />

Passing Props

Props are custom attributes that you can register on a component. For example, if you want to pass a title to a blog post component, you need to declare it in the list of props the component accepts, using the props option:

<!-- BlogPost.vue -->
<script>
export default {
  props: ['title']
}
</script>

<template>
  <h4>{{ title }}</h4>
</template>

You can then pass data to the prop as a custom attribute:

<BlogPost title="My journey with Vue" />
<BlogPost title="Blogging with Vue" />
<BlogPost title="Why Vue is so fun" />

Listening to Events

Components can communicate with their parent components by emitting custom events. For example, if you want to enlarge the text of all blog posts when a button is clicked, you can use the $emit method in the child component and listen for the event in the parent component:

<!-- BlogPost.vue, omitting <script> -->
<template>
  <div class="blog-post">
    <h4>{{ title }}</h4>
    <button @click="$emit('enlarge-text')">Enlarge text</button>
  </div>
</template>

Vue templates and directives

Vue.js utilizes an HTML-based template syntax that allows you to declaratively bind the rendered DOM to the underlying component instance’s data. This makes it simple to create dynamic and reactive web applications.

See also:  Mastering Vue OnClick Events: A Comprehensive Guide

Template Syntax

Vue templates are valid HTML that can be parsed by spec-compliant browsers and HTML parsers. Vue compiles the templates into highly optimized JavaScript code, enabling the framework to intelligently determine the minimal number of components to re-render and apply the minimal amount of DOM manipulations when the app state changes.

Detailed article: Demystifying the Vue Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Text Interpolation

The most basic form of data binding is text interpolation using the “Mustache” syntax (double curly braces):

<span>Message: {{ msg }}</span>

The Mustache tag will be replaced with the value of the msg property from the corresponding component instance. It will also be updated whenever the msg property changes.

Raw HTML

To output real HTML, you need to use the v-html directive:

<p>Using text interpolation: {{ rawHtml }}</p>
<p>Using v-html directive: <span v-html="rawHtml"></span></p>

Directives are prefixed with v- to indicate that they are special attributes provided by Vue, and they apply special reactive behavior to the rendered DOM. In this case, the v-html directive keeps the element’s inner HTML up-to-date with the rawHtml property on the current active instance.

Security Warning: Dynamically rendering arbitrary HTML can lead to XSS vulnerabilities. Only use v-html on trusted content and never on user-provided content.

Attribute Bindings

To bind HTML attributes, use the v-bind directive:

<div v-bind:id="dynamicId"></div>

The v-bind directive keeps the element’s id attribute in sync with the component’s dynamicId property.

Shorthand

Because v-bind is so commonly used, it has a dedicated shorthand syntax:

<div :id="dynamicId"></div>
Boolean Attributes

Boolean attributes, like disabled, work a bit differently with v-bind:

<button :disabled="isButtonDisabled">Button</button>

The disabled attribute will be included if isButtonDisabled has a truthy value.

Dynamically Binding Multiple Attributes

If you have a JavaScript object representing multiple attributes, you can bind them using v-bind without an argument:

data() {
  return {
    objectOfAttrs: {
      id: 'container',
      class: 'wrapper'
    }
  }
}
<div v-bind="objectOfAttrs"></div>

Directives

Directives are special attributes with the v- prefix. Vue provides several built-in directives, such as v-html and v-bind introduced earlier.

Detailed article: Demystifying the Vue Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Arguments

Some directives can take an “argument”, denoted by a colon after the directive name:

<a v-bind:href="url"> ... </a>
<a :href="url"> ... </a> <!-- shorthand -->

Here, href is the argument, telling the v-bind directive to bind the element’s href attribute to the value of the url expression.

Dynamic Arguments

It is possible to use a JavaScript expression in a directive argument by wrapping it with square brackets:

<a v-bind:[attributeName]="url"> ... </a>
<a :[attributeName]="url"> ... </a> <!-- shorthand -->

In this case, attributeName will be dynamically evaluated as a JavaScript expression.

Modifiers

Modifiers are special postfixes denoted by a dot, which indicate that a directive should be bound in a particular way. For example, the .prevent modifier tells the v-on directive to call event.preventDefault() on the triggered event:

<form @submit.prevent="onSubmit">...</form>

You’ll see other examples of modifiers later, for v-on and v-model, when we explore those features.

Example: Vue Template with Directives

To demonstrate the usage of Vue templates and directives, let’s create a simple Vue application.

  1. Create an HTML file with the following content:
    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html lang="en">
    <head>
        <meta charset="UTF-8">
        <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
        <title>Vue Template and Directives Example</title>
        <script src="https://unpkg.com/vue@next"></script>
    </head>
    <body>
        <div id="app">
            <h1>{{ title }}</h1>
            <p>Using text interpolation: {{ rawHtml }}</p>
            <p>Using v-html directive: <span v-html="rawHtml"></span></p>
            <button :disabled="isButtonDisabled">Click me!</button>
            <a :href="url">Visit Vue.js website</a>
        </div>
        <script>
            const app = Vue.createApp({
                data() {
                    return {
                        title: 'Welcome to Vue Templates and Directives',
                        rawHtml: '<strong>Vue.js is awesome!</strong>',
                        isButtonDisabled: true,
                        url: 'https://vuejs.org'
                    }
                }
            });
    
            app.mount('#app');
        </script>
    </body>
    </html>

In this example, we use text interpolation with {{ title }}, the v-html directive for rendering raw HTML content, the :disabled shorthand for binding the disabled attribute, and the :href shorthand for binding the href attribute.

When you open this file in a web browser, you should see a title, two paragraphs demonstrating text interpolation and v-html, a disabled button, and a link to the Vue.js website.

This example illustrates how Vue templates and directives make it simple and efficient to create dynamic web applications with reactive behavior. As you continue learning Vue, you’ll discover even more powerful features and techniques that will help you build scalable and maintainable applications.

Vue 3 Computed Properties and Watchers

Computed properties and watchers are essential tools in Vue.js that help you manage complex logic and react to state changes in your application.

Computed Properties

In-template expressions are convenient for simple operations, but they can make your templates bloated and hard to maintain when you have more complex logic. For complex logic involving reactive data, it is recommended to use computed properties. Let’s start with a basic example:

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      author: {
        name: 'John Doe',
        books: [
          'Vue 2 - Advanced Guide',
          'Vue 3 - Basic Guide',
          'Vue 4 - The Mystery'
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  computed: {
    // a computed getter
    publishedBooksMessage() {
      // `this` points to the component instance
      return this.author.books.length > 0 ? 'Yes' : 'No'
    }
  }
}

In the template, we can use:

<p>Has published books:</p>
<span>{{ publishedBooksMessage }}</span>

The computed property publishedBooksMessage updates whenever author.books changes. Computed properties are cached based on their reactive dependencies, meaning they only re-evaluate when their dependencies change.

Watchers

Watchers are useful when you need to perform side effects in reaction to state changes, such as mutating the DOM or changing another piece of state based on the result of an async operation.

Here’s a basic example of using a watcher:

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      question: '',
      answer: 'Questions usually contain a question mark. ;-)'
    }
  },
  watch: {
    // whenever question changes, this function will run
    question(newQuestion, oldQuestion) {
      if (newQuestion.includes('?')) {
        this.getAnswer()
      }
    }
  },
  methods: {
    async getAnswer() {
      this.answer = 'Thinking...'
      try {
        const res = await fetch('https://yesno.wtf/api')
        this.answer = (await res.json()).answer
      } catch (error) {
        this.answer = 'Error! Could not reach the API. ' + error
      }
    }
  }
}

In the template, we can use:

<p>
  Ask a yes/no question:
  <input v-model="question" />
</p>
<p>{{ answer }}</p>

Best Practices

  1. Getters should be side-effect free: Computed getter functions should only perform pure computation and be free of side effects.
  2. Avoid mutating computed values: Computed return values should be treated as read-only and never be mutated. Instead, update the source state it depends on to trigger new computations.

Deep and Eager Watchers

Deep watchers allow you to watch nested property changes, but they can be expensive when used on large data structures. Eager watchers, on the other hand, can be used to execute the watcher callback immediately by declaring it with the immediate: true option.

Stopping a Watcher

Watchers declared using the watch option or the $watch() instance method are automatically stopped when the owner component is unmounted. In the rare case where you need to stop a watcher before the owner component unmounts, the $watch() API returns a function for that:

const unwatch = this.$watch('foo', callback)

// ...when the watcher is no longer needed:
unwatch()

Vue 3 Lifecycle Hooks

Detailed article: Demystifying the Vue Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Each Vue component instance goes through a series of initialization steps when it’s created – for example, it needs to set up data observation, compile the template, mount the instance to the DOM, and update the DOM when data changes. Along the way, it also runs functions called lifecycle hooks, giving users the opportunity to add their own code at specific stages.

Registering Lifecycle Hooks

For example, the mounted hook can be used to run code after the component has finished the initial rendering and created the DOM nodes:

export default {
  mounted() {
    console.log(`the component is now mounted.`)
  }
}

There are also other hooks which will be called at different stages of the instance’s lifecycle, with the most commonly used being mounted, updated, and unmounted.

All lifecycle hooks are called with their this context pointing to the current active instance invoking it. Note this means you should avoid using arrow functions when declaring lifecycle hooks, as you won’t be able to access the component instance via this if you do so.

In this tutorial, we will go through the most important Vue 3 lifecycle hooks and show some examples of their usage. To help you better understand each hook, we’ll provide a brief explanation and a code example.

beforeCreate

beforeCreate is called when the instance is initialized.

export default {
  beforeCreate() {
    console.log('beforeCreate hook called');
  },
}

At this stage, the instance has not processed other options such as data() or computed.

created

created is called after the instance has finished processing all state-related options.

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      message: 'Hello, Vue!'
    }
  },
  created() {
    console.log(`Message is: ${this.message}`);
  },
}

At this point, reactive data, computed properties, methods, and watchers have been set up. However, the mounting phase has not been started, and the $el property will not be available yet.

beforeMount

beforeMount is called right before the component is to be mounted.

export default {
  beforeMount() {
    console.log('beforeMount hook called');
  },
}

At this stage, the component has finished setting up its reactive state, but no DOM nodes have been created yet. It is about to execute its DOM render effect for the first time. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

mounted

mounted is called after the component has been mounted.

export default {
  mounted() {
    console.log('mounted hook called');
  },
}

At this point, all of its synchronous child components have been mounted, and its own DOM tree has been created and inserted into the parent container. This hook is typically used for performing side effects that need access to the component’s rendered DOM, or for limiting DOM-related code to the client in a server-rendered application. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

beforeUpdate

beforeUpdate is called right before the component is about to update its DOM tree due to a reactive state change. 

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      counter: 0
    }
  },
  beforeUpdate() {
    console.log('beforeUpdate hook called');
  },
  methods: {
    increment() {
      this.counter++;
    }
  }
}

This hook can be used to access the DOM state before Vue updates the DOM. It is also safe to modify component state inside this hook. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

updated

updated is called after the component has updated its DOM tree due to a reactive state change.

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      counter: 0
    }
  },
  updated() {
    console.log('updated hook called');
  },
  methods: {
    increment() {
      this.counter++;
    }
  }
}

A parent component’s updated hook is called after that of its child components. This hook is called after any DOM update of the component, which can be caused by different state changes. If you need to access the updated DOM after a specific state change, use nextTick() instead. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

Warning: Do not mutate component state in the updated hook – this will likely lead to an infinite update loop!

beforeUnmount

beforeUnmount is called right before a component instance is to be unmounted.

export default {
  beforeUnmount() {
    console.log('beforeUnmount hook called');
  },
}

When this hook is called, the component instance is still fully functional. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

unmounted

unmounted is called after the component has been unmounted.

export default {
  unmounted() {
    console.log('unmounted hook called');
  },
}

At this point, all of its child components have been unmounted, and all of its associated reactive effects have been stopped. Use this hook to clean up manually created side effects such as timers, DOM event listeners, or server connections. This hook is not called during server-side rendering.

Other Lifecycle Hooks

There are additional lifecycle hooks available for more specific use cases, such as errorCaptured, renderTracked, renderTriggered, activated, deactivated, and serverPrefetch. These hooks provide more granular control over a component’s behavior, but they’re not commonly used in everyday development. You can refer to the Vue.js documentation for more information on these hooks.

errorCaptured

errorCaptured is called when an error propagating from a descendant component has been captured. This hook can be used to handle errors gracefully and display error messages to users.

export default {
  errorCaptured(err, instance, info) {
    console.error('Error captured:', err, 'in instance:', instance, 'with info:', info);
    // Handle error and display error message to the user
  },
}

The errorCaptured hook receives three arguments: the error, the component instance that triggered the error, and an information string specifying the error source type. You can modify the component state in errorCaptured() to display an error state to the user. However, it is important that the error state should not render the original content that caused the error; otherwise, the component will be thrown into an infinite render loop.

renderTracked

renderTracked is called when a reactive dependency has been tracked by the component’s render effect. This hook is development-mode-only and not called during server-side rendering.

export default {
  renderTracked(e) {
    console.log('Reactive dependency tracked:', e);
  },
}

This hook can be used for debugging purposes to identify which reactive dependencies are being tracked by the component’s render effect.

renderTriggered

renderTriggered is called when a reactive dependency triggers the component’s render effect to be re-run. This hook is development-mode-only and not called during server-side rendering.

export default {
  renderTriggered(e) {
    console.log('Reactive dependency triggered render:', e);
  },
}

This hook can be used for debugging purposes to identify which reactive dependencies are causing the component’s render effect to re-run.

activated

activated is called after the component instance is inserted into the DOM as part of a tree cached by <KeepAlive>.

export default {
  activated() {
    console.log('Component activated');
  },
}

This hook is not called during server-side rendering. It is used to handle component activation in a <KeepAlive> wrapper, allowing you to perform any necessary actions when the component is reactivated.

deactivated

deactivated is called after the component instance is removed from the DOM as part of a tree cached by <KeepAlive>.

export default {
  deactivated() {
    console.log('Component deactivated');
  },
}

This hook is not called during server-side rendering. It is used to handle component deactivation in a <KeepAlive> wrapper, allowing you to clean up any resources or event listeners when the component is deactivated.

serverPrefetch

serverPrefetch is an async function that is resolved before the component instance is to be rendered on the server.

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      data: null,
    };
  },
  async serverPrefetch() {
    this.data = await fetchDataFromServer();
  },
}

If the serverPrefetch hook returns a Promise, the server renderer will wait until the Promise is resolved before rendering the component. This hook is only called during server-side rendering and can be used to perform server-only data fetching.

See also:  Vue 3 Form Validation: Techniques, Libraries, and Best Practices

Vue 3 data and methods

Reactive Data

In Vue 3, data is reactive. This means that Vue automatically updates the DOM whenever the data changes, without any additional work from the developer. To create reactive data in a Vue component, you define a data function that returns an object containing the data properties.

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      message: 'Hello, Vue!',
      counter: 0,
    };
  },
};

Now, when the message or counter properties change, Vue will automatically update the DOM to reflect the new values.

Methods

Methods are functions that you define within a Vue component to handle various tasks, such as responding to user interactions or updating the component’s data. You can define methods in the methods object of a component.

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      counter: 0,
    };
  },
  methods: {
    increment() {
      this.counter++;
    },
  },
};

In this example, we’ve defined a method called increment that increases the value of counter by 1. You can then use this method in your component’s template to respond to user interactions, like a button click.

Vue 3 Composition API

The Composition API is a new addition to Vue 3 that provides an alternative way to organize and reuse logic in your components. It offers a more flexible and scalable way of managing component logic, especially for larger and more complex applications.

Introduction to the Composition API

The Composition API is built around the setup() function, which is a new lifecycle hook in Vue 3 components. The setup() function is called when a component is created, and it’s where you define all the reactive data, computed properties, methods, and lifecycle hooks using the Composition API.

Here’s a simple example of a component using the Composition API:

import { ref } from 'vue';

export default {
  setup() {
    const count = ref(0);

    function increment() {
      count.value++;
    }

    return {
      count,
      increment,
    };
  },
};

In this example, we’re using the ref function from the Vue package to create a reactive data property called count. We also define a method called increment that increases the value of count. Both count and increment are returned from the setup() function, making them available in the component’s template.

Using reactive and ref for reactive data

The Composition API provides two main functions for creating reactive data: ref and reactive.

  • ref is used to create a reactive reference to a single value. It wraps the value in an object with a .value property, which is used to access and update the actual value.
    import { ref } from 'vue';
    
    const count = ref(0);
    console.log(count.value); // 0
    count.value++; // count.value is now 1
  • reactive is used to create a reactive object with multiple properties. It’s similar to the data function in the Options API.
import { reactive } from 'vue';

const state = reactive({
  count: 0,
  message: 'Hello, Vue!',
});

console.log(state.count); // 0
state.count++; // state.count is now 1

Composition API lifecycle hooks

With the Composition API, you can use lifecycle hooks by importing them from the Vue package and calling them inside the setup() function. The available lifecycle hooks in the Composition API are:

  • onBeforeMount
  • onMounted
  • onBeforeUpdate
  • onUpdated
  • onBeforeUnmount
  • onUnmounted

Here’s an example of using the onMounted hook in the Composition API:

import { onMounted } from 'vue';

export default {
  setup() {
    onMounted(() => {
      console.log('Component mounted');
    });
  },
};

Creating and using custom composables

Custom composables are reusable pieces of logic that can be extracted into standalone functions and imported into any component. They allow you to share and reuse functionality across your application.

Here are three examples of custom composables with step-by-step instructions:

  1. Fetch data from an API

Create a useFetchData.js file and add the following code:

import { ref, onMounted } from 'vue';

export default function useFetchData(apiUrl) {
  const data = ref(null);
  const isLoading = ref(true);

  async function fetchData() {
    const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
    data.value = await response.json();
    isLoading.value = false;
  }

  onMounted(fetchData);

  return { data, isLoading };
}

In your component, import and use the useFetchData composable:

import useFetchData from './useFetchData';

export default {
  setup() {
    const { data, isLoading } = useFetchData('https://api.example.com/data');

    return { data, isLoading };
  },
};
  1. Debounce user input

Create a useDebounce.js file and add the following code:

import { ref } from 'vue';

export default function useDebounce(value, delay = 300) {
  const debouncedValue = ref(value.value);

  let timeout;
  value.watch(newValue => {
    clearTimeout(timeout);
    timeout = setTimeout(() => {
      debouncedValue.value = newValue;
    }, delay);
  });

  return debouncedValue;
}

In your component, import and use the useDebounce composable:

import { ref } from 'vue';
import useDebounce from './useDebounce';

export default {
  setup() {
    const searchQuery = ref('');
    const debouncedSearchQuery = useDebounce(searchQuery, 500);

    return {
      searchQuery,
      debouncedSearchQuery,
    };
  },
};
  1. Dark mode toggle

Create a useDarkMode.js file and add the following code:

import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue';

export default function useDarkMode() {
  const isDarkMode = ref(false);

  function toggleDarkMode() {
    isDarkMode.value = !isDarkMode.value;
    document.documentElement.classList.toggle('dark-mode', isDarkMode.value);
  }

  return { isDarkMode, toggleDarkMode };
}

In your component, import and use the useDarkMode composable:

import useDarkMode from './useDarkMode';

export default {
  setup() {
    const { isDarkMode, toggleDarkMode } = useDarkMode();

    return { isDarkMode, toggleDarkMode };
  },
};

Comparison between Options API and Composition API

Feature Options API Composition API
Reactive data data function that returns an object ref and reactive functions
Methods methods object Define functions directly in setup()
Computed properties computed object computed function
Watchers watch object watch and watchEffect functions
Lifecycle hooks beforeCreate, created, etc. onBeforeMount, onMounted, etc. in setup()
Reusable logic Mixins, scoped slots, or custom directives Custom composables
Organization of component logic Grouped by feature (data, methods, etc.) Grouped by logical concern

The Composition API offers a more flexible and scalable way of organizing component logic, making it easier to share and reuse functionality across components. It also makes it easier to understand and manage complex components, as related logic can be grouped together. However, it does require a slightly different way of thinking compared to the Options API, and it might take some time to get used to.

Vue 3 Routing and Navigation

Vue 3 provides a powerful and flexible way to manage routing and navigation in your applications using the official Vue Router 4 library. In this section, we’ll cover the basics of Vue Router 4, configuring routes, nested routes, route guards, programmatic navigation, and route transitions.

Vue Router 4: Overview and setup

Vue Router 4 is the official routing library for Vue 3. It allows you to manage client-side navigation in a Vue application by creating a dynamic mapping between components and URLs.

To set up Vue Router in your project, follow these steps:

  1. Install Vue Router using npm or yarn:
    npm install vue-router@next

or

yarn add vue-router@next
  1. Create a new file called router.js and import createRouter and createWebHistory from the vue-router package:
    import { createRouter, createWebHistory } from 'vue-router';
  2. Import the components you want to use as routes:
    import HomeComponent from './components/HomeComponent.vue';
    import AboutComponent from './components/AboutComponent.vue';
  3. Define your routes using an array of route objects:
    const routes = [
      { path: '/', component: HomeComponent },
      { path: '/about', component: AboutComponent },
    ];
  4. Create the router instance using createRouter:
    const router = createRouter({
      history: createWebHistory(),
      routes,
    });
  5. Export the router instance:
    export default router;
  6. In your main.js file, import the router instance and add it to your Vue app:
    import { createApp } from 'vue';
    import App from './App.vue';
    import router from './router';
    
    const app = createApp(App);
    app.use(router);
    app.mount('#app');

Configuring routes in Vue 3

Configuring routes in Vue 3 is simple and flexible. You can define routes as an array of route objects and pass it to the router instance. Each route object should have a path and a component property.

Here’s an example:

  1. Import the components you want to use as routes:
    import HomeComponent from './components/HomeComponent.vue';
    import AboutComponent from './components/AboutComponent.vue';
    import ProfileComponent from './components/ProfileComponent.vue';
  2. Define your routes using an array of route objects:
    const routes = [
      { path: '/', component: HomeComponent },
      { path: '/about', component: AboutComponent },
      { path: '/profile/:id', component: ProfileComponent },
    ];

In this example, we’ve defined three routes: /, /about, and /profile/:id. The :id in the /profile/:id route is a dynamic segment, which allows you to capture a value from the URL and pass it as a prop to the component.

Nested routes and route guards

Vue Router allows you to create nested routes by defining child routes inside a parent route. This is useful for organizing your application’s structure and reusing components.

Here’s an example of how to create nested routes:

  1. Import the required components:
    import DashboardComponent from './components/DashboardComponent.vue';
    import UsersComponent from './components/UsersComponent.vue';
    import UserDetailComponent from './components/UserDetailComponent.vue';
  2. Define the parent route and its child routes:
    const routes = [
      {
        path: '/dashboard',
        component: DashboardComponent,
        children: [
          { path: 'users', component: UsersComponent },
          { path: 'users/:id', component: UserDetailComponent },
        ],
      },
    ];

In this example, we’ve defined a parent route /dashboard with two child routes: /dashboard/users and /dashboard/users/:id. The :id is a dynamic segment that captures a value from the URL and passes it as a prop to the UserDetailComponent.

State Management in Vue 3

State management is an important aspect of building large-scale Vue applications. As the complexity of an application grows, managing the state of the application becomes more difficult. In Vue, you can use Vuex, a state management pattern and library, to manage the state of your application.

Vuex 4: Introduction and Setup

To get started with Vuex, you need to install it first. You can do this using the npm package manager:

npm install vuex@next

Once you have installed Vuex, you can create a store by creating a new instance of the Vuex Store class. This is typically done in a separate file called store.js:

import { createStore } from 'vuex'

export default createStore({
  state: {
    count: 0
  },
  mutations: {
    increment(state) {
      state.count++
    }
  },
  actions: {
    incrementAsync({ commit }) {
      setTimeout(() => {
        commit('increment')
      }, 1000)
    }
  },
  getters: {
    doubleCount(state) {
      return state.count * 2
    }
  }
})

In the example above, we have created a store with a state that has a single property count initialized to 0. We have also defined a mutation increment that increases the count by 1, an action incrementAsync that calls the increment mutation after a delay of 1 second, and a getter doubleCount that returns twice the value of count.

Vuex 4 Store Structure and State Management

The Vuex store follows a unidirectional data flow architecture. It consists of a single state tree, mutations, actions, and getters.

The state tree is a single object that represents the entire state of the application. The state tree is read-only, and it can only be changed by committing mutations.

Mutations are synchronous functions that change the state of the application. They are used to perform state updates in a predictable and consistent manner.

Actions are asynchronous functions that can commit mutations. They are used to perform asynchronous operations, such as API calls.

Getters are functions that are used to compute derived state based on the current state of the application.

Using Actions and Mutations in Vuex 4

Actions and mutations are the main ways to update the state in Vuex. Actions are responsible for initiating the update process by committing mutations, and mutations are responsible for actually updating the state.

Defining Actions

Actions are defined as functions in the actions object of the Vuex store. Actions are passed a context object which contains a number of useful properties and methods, including state, getters, commit, and dispatch.

Here’s an example of an action that commits a mutation to update the state:

const store = createStore({
  state: {
    count: 0
  },
  mutations: {
    increment(state) {
      state.count++
    }
  },
  actions: {
    increment(context) {
      context.commit('increment')
    }
  }
})

In this example, the increment action calls the increment mutation via context.commit.

Defining Mutations

Mutations are defined as functions in the mutations object of the Vuex store. Mutations are passed the current state as the first argument, and any additional payload as the second argument. Mutations are responsible for updating the state.

Here’s an example of a mutation that updates the count state:

const store = createStore({
  state: {
    count: 0
  },
  mutations: {
    increment(state) {
      state.count++
    }
  },
  actions: {
    increment(context) {
      context.commit('increment')
    }
  }
})

In this example, the increment mutation simply increments the count state by 1.

Dispatching Actions

Actions are dispatched using the dispatch method on the context object. Here’s an example of dispatching the increment action:

store.dispatch('increment')

This will call the increment action, which will commit the increment mutation and update the state.

Committing Mutations

Mutations are committed using the commit method on the context object. Here’s an example of committing the increment mutation:

context.commit('increment')

This will call the increment mutation and update the state.

Vuex 4 Modules and Namespacing

In larger applications, managing all of the state in a single store can become unwieldy. To solve this problem, Vuex 4 provides the ability to organize state into modules, which can be thought of as sub-stores.

Creating a Module

To create a module, we use the createNamespacedHelpers function from the Vuex library to create a helper object for the module. The helper object contains methods for accessing the module’s state, mutations, actions, and getters.

Here’s an example of a simple module that manages a list of products:

// products.js

export default {
  namespaced: true,
  state: {
    products: []
  },
  mutations: {
    addProduct(state, product) {
      state.products.push(product)
    },
    removeProduct(state, productId) {
      const index = state.products.findIndex(p => p.id === productId)
      if (index !== -1) {
        state.products.splice(index, 1)
      }
    }
  },
  actions: {
    addProduct({ commit }, product) {
      // Call API to add product
      // then commit mutation to update state
      commit('addProduct', product)
    },
    removeProduct({ commit }, productId) {
      // Call API to remove product
      // then commit mutation to update state
      commit('removeProduct', productId)
    }
  },
  getters: {
    getProductById: (state) => (id) => {
      return state.products.find(p => p.id === id)
    }
  }
}

In this module, we define the namespaced option as true, which means that all state, mutations, actions, and getters in this module will be namespaced under the products namespace.

Accessing a Module

To access a module’s state, mutations, actions, and getters from a component, we can use the mapState, mapMutations, mapActions, and mapGetters helpers, passing in the module’s namespace as the first argument.

For example, to map the products state from our products module:

import { mapState } from 'vuex'

export default {
  computed: {
    ...mapState('products', {
      products: state => state.products
    })
  }
}

To map a mutation:

import { mapMutations } from 'vuex'

export default {
  methods: {
    ...mapMutations('products', {
      addProduct: 'addProduct'
    })
  }
}

To map an action:

import { mapActions } from 'vuex'

export default {
  methods: {
    ...mapActions('products', {
      fetchProducts: 'fetchProducts'
    })
  }
}

To map a getter:

import { mapGetters } from 'vuex'

export default {
  computed: {
    ...mapGetters('products', {
      getProductById: 'getProductById'
    })
  }
}

Module Namespacing

When using Vuex modules, it is important to be mindful of potential naming conflicts. If two or more modules define the same state property or mutation, a conflict will occur, resulting in unexpected behavior in the application. To avoid this issue, Vuex provides a mechanism for module namespacing.

By default, all state, mutations, actions, and getters in a module are registered globally in the Vuex store. However, if the namespaced option is set to true in the module definition, all the module’s properties will be automatically namespaced under the module’s name. This ensures that there are no naming conflicts with other modules.

But what happens when a module depends on another module? For example, consider a cart module that depends on a products module. In this case, the cart module may need to access the state or getters of the products module. To avoid naming conflicts, we can use module namespacing.

To namespace the products module, we can set the namespaced option to true in its module definition:

const productsModule = {
  namespaced: true,
  state: { ... },
  mutations: { ... },
  actions: { ... },
  getters: { ... }
}

Then, to access the state or getters of the products module in the cart module, we can use the rootState and rootGetters arguments in our actions or getters:

const cartModule = {
  namespaced: true,
  state: { ... },
  mutations: { ... },
  actions: {
    someAction({ state, rootState, getters, rootGetters }) {
      // Access cart state and getters
      const cartItems = state.items
      const cartTotal = getters.total

      // Access products state and getters
      const productItems = rootState.products.items
      const productTotal = rootGetters['products/total']
    }
  },
  getters: {
    total(state, getters, rootState, rootGetters) {
      // Access cart state and getters
      const cartItems = state.items

      // Access products state and getters
      const productItems = rootState.products.items
      const productTotal = rootGetters['products/total']

      // Calculate total
      return cartItems.reduce((total, item) => total + item.price, 0) + productTotal
    }
  }
}

Notice how we accessed the products state and getters using rootState and rootGetters. We also used the module name products to namespace the getters in the total getter.

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In addition to namespacing individual modules, we can also use Vuex module namespacing to organize our store code. For example, we can group related modules under a namespace:

const store = new Vuex.Store({
  modules: {
    ecommerce: {
      namespaced: true,
      modules: {
        products: { ... },
        cart: { ... },
        checkout: { ... }
      }
    }
  }
})

In this example, we grouped the products, cart, and checkout modules under the ecommerce namespace. This makes it easier to organize and manage our store code, especially when dealing with larger applications.

In summary, module namespacing is an important feature of Vuex that helps prevent naming conflicts and organize our store code. By using the namespaced option in our module definitions and accessing state and getters using rootState and rootGetters, we can ensure that our modules work seamlessly together in our Vuex store.

Vue 3 State Management Guide

Things are a-changing in the Vueniverse! With the introduction of Vue 3, new solutions for state management have emerged, challenging Vuex’s position as the default choice for managing application state. T

When do we need state management?

To display an app’s interface, we need a lot of information about its state. When the user interacts with the app, this state information often needs to be used by multiple different components. Saving and accessing this data in a centralized, structured way (instead of passing it around from one component to another) is what we typically mean when we talk about state management.

Option 1 – Make your own store

With the Composition API and its globally available reactive objects, it’s possible to create a homemade store by creating a reactive object that holds our shared application state. This could be a flexible solution, but you’ll miss out on the possibility to debug your store with Vue Devtools. Also, if you’re deciding on a state management solution for large projects (and teams), you might still prefer the standardization of a state management library.

Option 2 – Use a state management library

Pinia

is a popular library that is straightforward to use and takes away a lot of the complexity developers dislike about Vuex. With proper TypeScript support, code splitting, and server-side rendering (SSR), Pinia is fully extensible and supports debugging with Vue Devtools. Vuex, on the other hand, is the state management library officially maintained by the Vue core team. It may not have a reputation for being easy to use, but it’s powerful and tailored to fit Vue’s reactivity system. Vuex has flawless Devtools support, including useful features like time travel debugging, and it supports SSR and code splitting.

To help you choose the best option for your project, we’ve compiled a table comparing Pinia and Vuex:

Pinia Vuex
Lightweight (1KB) Officially maintained by the Vue core team
Straightforward to use Powerful and tailored to fit Vue’s reactivity system
No mutations Flawless Devtools support, including time travel debugging
Automatic namespacing and code splitting Supports SSR and code splitting
Proper TypeScript support
Fully extensible
Supports debugging with Vue Devtools
Vuex 5 aims to remove the need to use mutations and nested modules

Pinia and Vuex are evolving, and sometimes it can be confusing to keep up with best practices. We recommend staying up-to-date with the latest developments and considering the complexity and structure of your app when choosing a state management solution. Remember, larger apps tend to grow more complex as well, so if multiple components need to react and change when a user interacts with your app, that’s a good indicator that you should think about state management.

Library Resources
Pinia The Pinia docs, A Pinia crash course
Vuex Vuex documentation, Vuex Deep Dive video, RFC for Vuex 5

Vue 3 and Third-Party Integrations

Vue 3 is a powerful front-end JavaScript framework that allows developers to create dynamic user interfaces and web applications. One of the key benefits of Vue 3 is its ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party tools and libraries, which can help developers streamline their workflow and create more efficient, feature-rich applications. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular third-party integrations for Vue 3 and provide examples of how to use them.

Using Axios for HTTP requests in Vue 3

Axios is a popular JavaScript library for making HTTP requests from the browser. It is widely used for accessing APIs and fetching data from servers. In Vue 3, you can easily integrate Axios with your application by installing it as a dependency and importing it into your component files. Here’s an example of how to use Axios to fetch data from a RESTful API:

  1. First, install Axios using npm:
    npm install axios
  2. In your component file, import Axios:
    import axios from 'axios';
  3. In your component’s created() or mounted() hook, make a GET request to the API endpoint:
    export default {
      data() {
        return {
          posts: []
        }
      },
      created() {
        axios.get('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts')
          .then(response => {
            this.posts = response.data;
          })
          .catch(error => {
            console.log(error);
          });
      }
    }

In this example, we’re using the axios.get() method to retrieve data from the API endpoint https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts. The response data is then stored in the component’s posts data property.

Integrating UI libraries in Vue 3 (Vuetify, Quasar, etc.)

Vue 3 provides a powerful and flexible API for creating custom user interfaces, but it can be time-consuming to create every component from scratch. That’s where UI libraries come in. UI libraries are pre-built collections of components that you can use to quickly create a consistent, professional-looking user interface for your application. Here are two popular UI libraries for Vue 3:

Vuetify

– Vuetify is a popular UI library for Vue that provides over 100 customizable UI components, including buttons, forms, grids, and more. Vuetify is designed to work seamlessly with Vue 3 and is fully customizable using CSS.

Here’s an example of how to use Vuetify in your Vue 3 application:

import { createApp } from 'vue';
import App from './App.vue';
import Vuetify from 'vuetify';
import 'vuetify/dist/vuetify.css';

const app = createApp(App);

app.use(Vuetify);

app.mount('#app');

In this example, we’re importing Vuetify and adding it to our Vue 3 application using the app.use() method. We’re also importing the Vuetify CSS file to style our components.

Quasar

– Quasar is another popular UI library for Vue that provides a wide range of customizable UI components, including buttons, forms, modals, and more. Quasar is designed to be easy to use and includes a powerful CLI for generating components and scaffolding applications.

Here’s an example of how to use Quasar in your Vue 3 application:

import { createApp } from 'vue';
import App from './App.vue';
import { Quasar } from 'quasar';
import 'quasar/dist/quasar.min.css';

const app = createApp(App);

app.use(Quasar);

app.mount('#app');

Best Practices and Performance Optimization in Vue 3

Vue 3 is a powerful framework that allows developers to build fast and performant applications. However, like any other framework, there are certain best practices and techniques that can be used to optimize performance and ensure that the application is running smoothly. In this article, we will cover some of the best practices and techniques for optimizing Vue 3 applications.

Code-splitting and lazy-loading components

Code-splitting is a technique used to optimize performance by splitting code into smaller chunks that are only loaded when needed. This can greatly reduce the initial load time of an application and improve the overall performance.

In Vue 3, code-splitting can be achieved using the built-in dynamic component feature. This feature allows developers to load components dynamically, as they are needed. By using dynamic components, developers can reduce the initial load time of their application and improve the overall performance.

To implement code-splitting in Vue 3, you can use the following steps:

  1. Create a dynamic component:
    <template>
      <component :is="componentName" />
    </template>
    
    <script>
    export default {
      props: {
        componentName: {
          type: String,
          required: true
        }
      }
    }
    </script>
  2. Use the dynamic component in your code:
    <template>
      <button @click="loadComponent">Load Component</button>
      <dynamic-component :component-name="componentName" v-if="componentLoaded" />
    </template>
    
    <script>
    import { defineComponent, ref } from 'vue';
    
    export default defineComponent({
      components: {
        DynamicComponent: () => import('./DynamicComponent.vue')
      },
      setup() {
        const componentName = ref(null);
        const componentLoaded = ref(false);
    
        const loadComponent = () => {
          componentName.value = 'DynamicComponent';
          componentLoaded.value = true;
        };
    
        return {
          componentName,
          componentLoaded,
          loadComponent
        };
      }
    });
    </script>

In this example, we are creating a dynamic component that loads the specified component when it is needed. We are then using this dynamic component in our code and loading the specified component when the button is clicked.

Performance optimization techniques

In addition to code-splitting, there are several other techniques that can be used to optimize the performance of Vue 3 applications. Some of these techniques include:

  1. Using the Production mode: The production mode of Vue 3 is optimized for performance and should be used in production environments. To enable the production mode, set the NODE_ENV environment variable to production.
  2. Minimizing the number of re-renders: Re-rendering components can be expensive and can slow down the performance of the application. To minimize the number of re-renders, use the shouldUpdate lifecycle hook to determine if a component needs to be re-rendered.
  3. Using reactive properties: Reactive properties are properties that are automatically updated when their dependencies change. By using reactive properties, developers can reduce the number of re-renders and improve the performance of their application.

Testing Vue 3 applications

Testing is an important part of the development process, and Vue 3 provides a number of tools to make testing easier.

Vue 3 supports both unit testing and end-to-end testing. For unit testing, you can use tools like Jest, Mocha, or Karma, along with the vue-test-utils library. For end-to-end testing, you can use tools like Cypress or Nightwatch.

Here are some tips for testing Vue 3 applications:

  • Test your components in isolation: When testing your components, make sure to test them in isolation, without any external dependencies. Use tools like mocks and stubs to simulate external dependencies.
  • Use the Composition API for easier testing: The Composition API makes it easier to test your components, as it allows you to separate the logic of your component from the presentation. This makes it easier to test the logic of your component in isolation.
  • Use snapshots to test your components: Snapshots are a useful tool for testing your components, as they allow you to compare the output of your component to a known good output. This can help you catch regressions early on.
  • Test your application in different environments: Make sure to test your application in different environments, such as different browsers and devices, to ensure that it works correctly in all situations.

Additional Resources and References for Further Reading

  1. Vue.js Official Guide: Component Lifecycle Hooks
  2. Vue.js Official Guide: Reactivity in Depth
  3. Vue.js Official Guide: Optimizations
  4. Vue Devtools Browser Extension
  5. Webpack Code Splitting Guide
  6. A Deep Dive into Vue’s Virtual DOM
  7. Vue-Community.org

Glossary of Terms

  1. Vue Lifecycle: A series of stages that a Vue component goes through from its creation to its destruction, including initialization, rendering, and updating.
  2. Lifecycle Hooks: Methods that Vue automatically calls during specific stages of a component’s lifecycle, allowing developers to add custom functionality at those stages.
  3. Component Initialization: The process of setting up a component’s initial state, including data, computed properties, and methods.
  4. Reactivity: Vue’s mechanism for automatically updating the DOM whenever a component’s data changes.
  5. Computed Properties: Reactive properties derived from other data properties, which are automatically updated when their dependencies change.
  6. Watchers: Functions that are executed when a specific data property changes, allowing developers to perform side effects or asynchronous operations.
  7. Virtual DOM: An in-memory representation of the actual DOM, used by Vue to update the DOM efficiently by minimizing changes.
  8. Code Splitting: The process of breaking a codebase into smaller chunks, which can be lazy-loaded when needed, resulting in faster load times.
  9. Lazy Loading: Loading components or parts of an application only when they are required, which can significantly improve performance.
  10. Error Boundaries: Components that can catch errors in their child components and display a fallback UI instead of crashing the application.
  11. Single-Page Application (SPA): A web application that loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates the content as the user interacts with the app, providing a more fluid user experience.
  12. Vue Router: The official router for Vue.js, which allows developers to manage navigation and route changes within a Vue application.
  13. Vuex: A state management library for Vue.js applications, providing a centralized store for all components in an application.
  14. Server-Side Rendering (SSR): The process of rendering a Vue application on the server and sending the resulting HTML to the client, which can improve performance and search engine optimization.
  15. Dynamic Components: Components that can be switched at runtime, allowing for more flexible and modular application structures.
  16. Slots: A Vue feature that allows developers to compose components by passing content to a component’s template, enabling more flexible layouts and content distribution.
  17. Mixins: Reusable pieces of functionality that can be shared between multiple Vue components.
  18. Custom Directives: Developer-defined directives that provide custom functionality and can be used in Vue templates.
  19. Filters: Functions that transform input data in Vue templates, allowing developers to format and manipulate data easily within a template.
  20. Component Props: Custom attributes that allow developers to pass data from a parent component to a child component, enabling a one-way flow of data and promoting component reusability.
  21. Event Bus: A communication pattern in Vue applications that enables components to emit and listen for events, facilitating communication between unrelated components.
  22. Scoped CSS: CSS styles that are scoped to a single Vue component, ensuring that styles do not leak to other components unintentionally.
  23. Async Components: Components that are loaded asynchronously, allowing developers to improve performance by loading only the required components when needed.
  24. Functional Components: Stateless and lightweight Vue components that are optimized for rendering performance, as they do not have a reactive state or lifecycle hooks.
  25. Transition: A Vue component that provides a way to apply CSS animations and transitions to elements when they are added, updated, or removed from the DOM.
  26. Render Function: A JavaScript function that Vue uses to generate the virtual DOM nodes for a component, allowing developers to create components programmatically.
  27. Template: The markup that defines the structure and appearance of a Vue component, which is converted into a render function by Vue’s compiler.
  28. Two-Way Data Binding: A feature that allows developers to automatically synchronize data between a form input and a Vue component’s data.
  29. Props Validation: The process of checking the data types of the props passed to a component to ensure they match the expected types, which can help catch errors and improve code maintainability.
  30. Dependency Injection: A pattern that enables components to receive dependencies (such as services or configuration data) from their parent components or the root instance, simplifying component reuse and testing.

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