What are the best practices for using Immutable.js?

What are the best practices for using Immutable.js?

When using Immutable.js, it's important to understand its data structures and how they differ from regular JavaScript objects. Here are some best practices:

1. Use Immutable data structures for state management in React applications.
2. Avoid mutating Immutable objects directly; always use methods like set, update, or merge.
3. Leverage the Record class for creating default data structures.
4. Use List and Map for collections to take advantage of their performance benefits.

Can you explain why immutability is important?

Immutability is crucial because it helps prevent unintended side effects in your application. When data is immutable, you can be sure that it won't change unexpectedly, which makes your code easier to reason about and debug. It also enables features like time travel debugging and efficient change detection in frameworks like React.

What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Some common mistakes include:

1. Mutating Immutable.js objects directly instead of using provided methods.
2. Not using the is function to check for equality, which can lead to performance issues.
3. Overusing Immutable.js for simple data structures where plain JavaScript objects would suffice.

How does Immutable.js compare to other libraries?

Immutable.js is often compared to libraries like Immer and immerable. While Immutable.js provides a rich set of immutable data structures, Immer allows you to work with mutable code while it handles immutability under the hood. The choice depends on your specific use case and performance needs.