Vue.js provides us with the options to use methods, watchers, and computed properties. But when should we use each of them? Let’s break it down:
When to use methods
- Use methods to react to events happening in the DOM.
- Use methods to call a function when something happens in your component. You can also call methods from computed properties or watchers.
When to use computed properties
- Use computed properties when you need to compose new data from existing data sources.
- Use computed properties when you have a variable in your template that is built from one or more data properties.
- Use computed properties when you want to simplify a complicated, nested property name to make it more readable and easier to use. It will also update automatically when the original property changes.
- Use computed properties when you need to reference a value from the template. Creating a computed property is the best approach because it’s cached.
- Use computed properties when you need to listen to changes in more than one data property.
When to use watchers
- Use watchers when you want to listen to changes in a data property and perform some action accordingly.
- Use watchers when you want to listen to a prop value change.
- Use watchers when you only need to listen to a specific property. Note that you can’t watch multiple properties at the same time.
- Use watchers when you want to watch a data property until it reaches a specific value, and then perform a certain action.
By understanding the specific use cases for methods, computed properties, and watchers, you can make informed decisions on which one to use in different scenarios.
Tags: Vue, Vue.js, methods, watchers, computed properties