Redux Upgrade Guide: Boosting Code Maintainability and Re-usability

In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind upgrading Redux and how it can improve the maintainability and re-usability of our code. While connect() and mapStateToProps have served us well, newer alternatives and recommended patterns have emerged, providing better solutions for accessing Redux state. We will explore the issues faced with connect(), version upgrades, the benefits of using hooks, and our planned three-phase upgrade approach.

The Issues with connect()
a. Boilerplate Code: The connect() API often adds excessive boilerplate code to components, making the code base harder to read and maintain. This can hinder productivity and increase the chances of introducing bugs. We now have better alternatives that reduce boilerplate and enhance code clarity.
Example: Consider a simple functional component that needs to access the Redux state using connect():

const MyComponent = ({ someProp }) => {
 // …
};
export default connect(mapStateToProps)(MyComponent);

The above code can be simplified and made more readable using newer alternatives.

b. Prop Drilling: The connect() approach tends to encourage prop drilling, particularly when writing mapStateToProps in nested child components. This can lead to code duplication and make the codebase harder to manage. We need a more efficient way to access Redux state across components.
Example: Imagine a scenario where multiple nested functional components require access to the Redux state using connect():

const ChildComponent = ({ someProp }) => {
  // ...
};
const ParentComponent = ({ someProp }) => {
  // ...
  return <ChildComponent someProp={someProp} />;
};
const GrandParentComponent = ({ someProp }) => {
  // ...
  return <ParentComponent someProp={someProp} />;
};
export default connect(mapStateToProps)(GrandParentComponent);

In this case, prop drilling becomes cumbersome and leads to code duplication. There are better alternatives available to simplify this process.

c. Global Search Pollution: When performing a global search for Redux actions, we often encounter unnecessary noise due to prop drilling and prop-types having the same names. This noise can make it challenging to locate where an action is actually being used. We require a cleaner and more organised approach to searching for actions.
Example: During a global search for a specific Redux action, the results might be cluttered with unnecessary references to prop drilling and prop-types, making it difficult to find the actual usage of the action.

Version Upgrades

To address the aforementioned issues, we are planning the following version upgrades:

• redux: 4.0.1 → 4.2.1
• react-redux: 8.x
• redux-thunk: 2.3.0 → 2.4.0

These version upgrades do not introduce any breaking changes, ensuring a smooth transition and compatibility with our existing code base. The upgrade will provide us with the latest bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.

Benefits of Using Hooks
One key benefit of upgrading Redux is the ability to leverage hooks, which allow us to create custom hooks for abstracting and reusing stateful logic. For instance, if we need to access the state.operationsModule.clientSideEditor in multiple components, we can create a custom hook that exposes only the required state, eliminating the need to write selectors in every component. This enhances code modularity, reduces duplication, and improves overall code maintainability.
Example: Instead of using connect() and mapStateToProps in each component, we can create a custom hook to access the required state:

const useClientSideEditorState = () => {
  const clientSideEditor = useSelector(state => state.operationsModule.clientSideEditor);
  return clientSideEditor;
};
const MyComponent = () => {
  const clientSideEditor = useClientSideEditorState();
  // Use clientSideEditor state...
  return (
    // JSX for MyComponent
  );
};
export default MyComponent;

This approach abstracts the state access and promotes code re-usability.

Planned Three-Phase Upgrade Approach

We have meticulously planned the upgrade process to ensure a smooth transition and to take advantage of additional Redux ecosystem tools:

a. Phase 1: Upgrading Redux — We will first upgrade Redux to the latest version, addressing the issues faced with connect() and improving overall code quality.

b. Phase 2: Migrating to Redux Toolkit — Once Redux is upgraded, we will migrate to Redux Toolkit, a powerful official package that simplifies common Redux use cases, reduces boilerplate, and provides better development experiences.

Example: Redux Toolkit simplifies Redux code by providing utilities like createSlice and createAsyncThunk.

c. Phase 3: Adding RTK Query for Cached Response — In the final phase, we will incorporate RTK Query, another Redux Toolkit package, to efficiently handle cached responses and further optimize our application.

Example: RTK Query provides a declarative and efficient way to fetch and cache data in Redux applications.

Upgrading Redux offers significant benefits, including improved code maintainability and reusability. By moving away from connect() and adopting newer patterns and tools, we can reduce boilerplate, eliminate prop drilling, and achieve cleaner code organization. The planned three-phase upgrade approach ensures a smooth transition and allows us to take full advantage of the latest Redux ecosystem tools. With these enhancements, we can create more robust and scalable applications.

Feel free to provide any additional input or suggestions for the upgrade process in the comments. Let’s improve our codebase together!