refnux

re-fn-ux with emphasis on fn

React's Stateless Functions means we can use simple functions instead of instances of component classes.

By also letting go of partial updates to the DOM tree, we can make a super simple state store with actions that are like the flux pattern.

Refnux is like redux, but using only functions instead of reducers.

initialize.js

import ReactDOM from 'react-dom';
import React from 'react';
import App from 'components/App';

import {createStore, Provider} from 'refnux';

var store = createStore({counter:42});

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
  ReactDOM.render(<Provider store={store} app={App} />, document.querySelector('#app'));
});

Store

The store is created over a simple state. This state will be propagated to all connected view functions and actions.

var store = createStore({counter:42});

dispatch on store

The store exposes a dispatch function (see dispatch below)

store.dispatch(myaction)

state on store

The store also exposes a read only property store.state to get the current state

var current = store.state

Provider

The Provider coordinates connect, action and rerendering of the DOM tree. The app provided must be a function.

<Provider store={store} app={App} />

App.js

import React from 'react'
import {connect} from 'refnux'

var action = (inc) => ({counter}) => {
    return {counter:counter + inc}
}

export default connect(({counter}, dispatch) => {
    return <div id="content">
        <button onClick={() => dispatch(action(-1))}>-</button>
        <span>{counter}</span>
        <button onClick={() => dispatch(action(1))}>+</button>
    </div>
});

Connect

The connect function ensures the view function receives the state and dispatch on every rerender.

connect((state, dispatch) => { ... })

Actions

dispatch runs an action

var myaction = (state) => { ... }
...
dispatch(myaction)

an action is just a function

An action is just a function taking the state and returning the keys that have been changed.

var action = (state) => {
    return {counter:state.counter + 1}
}

Use scope to pass parameters to actions.

var action = (inc) => ({counter}) => {
    return {counter:counter + inc}
}

async

All actions receive a second argument that is a dispatch function to be used asynchronously.

var myaction = (state, dispatch) => { ... }
...
dispatch(myaction)

async example

var handleResponse = (user) => (state) => {
    return {user:user, info:"Got user"}
}

var requestUser = (userId) => (state, dispatch) => {
    io.emit('getUser', userId, (user) => {
        dispatch(handleResponse(user))
    })
    return {info:"Requesting user"}
}

N.B. it is an error to use the dispatch function synchronously. A dispatch can't be called in the same call stack as another dispatch.

ISC License (ISC)

Copyright (c) 2016, Martin Algesten martin@algesten.se

Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.