What are Vue.js router guards and how do they work?

What are Vue.js router guards and how do they work?

Vue.js router guards are functions that control access to routes in a Vue application. They can be used to protect routes, redirect users, or perform checks before entering a route.

Can you give me an example of a beforeEnter guard?

Sure! A beforeEnter guard can be defined in your route configuration like this:

const routes = [
  {
    path: '/protected',
    component: ProtectedComponent,
    beforeEnter: (to, from, next) => {
      const isAuthenticated = checkAuthentication();
      if (isAuthenticated) {
        next(); // allow access
      } else {
        next('/login'); // redirect to login
      }
    }
  }
];

What happens if I don't use router guards?

If you don't use router guards, any user can access all routes in your application without any restrictions. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive areas.

Are there different types of router guards?

Yes, there are several types of router guards in Vue.js: global guards, per-route guards, and in-component guards. Each serves different purposes for controlling access.