The choice between using ref() or reactive() in Vue 3 for creating reactive objects depends on the specific use case and the type of data being handled.

ref() is suitable for dealing with primitive values or objects that may need to be reassigned later, as it supports all object types and allows reassignment using the .value property.

On the other hand, reactive() is more appropriate for objects that do not require reassignment and aims to avoid the overhead associated with ref(). It returns a reactive proxy to the original object and has lower overhead compared to ref().

In the setup() function, it is common to use ref() to create a reactive array of blog posts. However, if reactive() was used, it would necessitate reassigning a property instead of the entire object.

Both ref() and reactive() have their own limitations and can result in reactivity loss if not used correctly. Ref() has behaviors such as unwrapping in templates, whereas reactive() does not unwrap when accessed from arrays or native collection types. Furthermore, reactive() cannot hold primitive types like strings, numbers, or booleans.

In conclusion, both ref() and reactive() are valid options for creating reactive objects in Vue 3, with ref() being more suitable for primitives and reactive() for objects.

ref vs reactive

Ref and reactive are two methods used in Vue 3 to create reactive objects. They have different use cases and limitations.

The ref() function is suitable for primitive values and objects that need to be reassigned later. It supports all object types and allows reassigning with the .value property. This means that you can directly access and modify the value of a ref using .value. However, it is important to note that when using ref with an object, the reactivity is not deeply observed. This means that if you modify a property of the object, it won’t trigger reactivity. Instead, you would need to reassign the entire object to trigger reactivity.

On the other hand, the reactive() function is used when dealing with objects that don’t need to be reassigned and want to avoid the overhead of ref(). It takes a JavaScript object as an argument and returns a Proxy-based reactive copy of the object. This means that any changes made to the properties of the reactive object will trigger reactivity. However, it is important to note that reactive() cannot hold primitive types like string, number, or boolean. It can only be used with plain JavaScript objects.

Both ref() and reactive() provide methods to store data and make it reactive. However, it is important to use them correctly to avoid reactivity loss. For example, using ref() with an object and modifying its properties directly will not trigger reactivity. Instead, you would need to reassign the entire object. Similarly, using reactive() with a primitive type will result in an error.

In summary, ref() is suitable for primitive values and objects that need to be reassigned, while reactive() is used for objects that don’t need to be reassigned and want to avoid the overhead of ref(). It is important to understand their limitations and use them correctly to ensure proper reactivity.

When to use ref

When deciding whether to use ref, one should consider the need to reassign values later and whether the data type is a primitive or object.

ref() is used when dealing with primitive values or objects that need to be reassigned later. It supports all object types and allows reassigning with .value. In the setup() function, ref() is commonly used to create a reactive blogPosts array.

On the other hand, reactive() is used when dealing with objects that don’t need to be reassigned and want to avoid the overhead of ref(). It returns a reactive proxy to the original object and has less overhead compared to ref(). However, reactive() would require reassigning a property instead of the whole object in the setup() function.

Both ref() and reactive() provide methods to store data and make it reactive, but they have different use cases based on the need for reassignment and the type of data being handled.

When to use reactive

Reactive is a suitable choice when working with objects that do not require reassignment and when it is necessary to minimize overhead. It provides a more efficient solution compared to using ref().

Reactive is particularly effective when dealing with objects that have a large number of properties or nested structures. By using reactive(), the object is converted into a reactive proxy, which allows changes to be tracked and triggers updates in the UI when necessary.

This eliminates the need for manually reassigning properties, as reactive objects automatically detect changes and propagate them. Additionally, reactive() has less overhead compared to ref(), making it a preferred option in scenarios where performance is a priority.

However, it is important to note that reactive() cannot hold primitive types like strings, numbers, or booleans, and reactivity loss can occur if it is not used correctly.