Comparison to other state management libraries

The JavaScript ecosystem offers a variety of state management libraries, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Let's compare the Aurelia Store plugin to some of the most popular alternatives: Redux, MobX, and VueX.

Differences to Redux

Redux is arguably the most popular state management library, particularly within the React community. While Aurelia Store shares some fundamental principles with Redux, there are key differences:

Feature	Redux	Aurelia Store
Boilerplate	Often requires significant boilerplate (actions, reducers, types)	Less boilerplate; actions are simple functions
Async Operations	Typically requires middleware (e.g., Redux Thunk, Redux Saga)	Built-in support for async actions and middleware
Immutability	Enforces immutability	Enforces immutability
Core Concepts	Actions, Reducers, Store	Actions, Store, Middleware
Framework	Framework-agnostic	Specifically designed for Aurelia, integrates well with Aurelia's features (DI, binding, etc.)
Learning Curve	Can be steeper for beginners	Generally considered easier to learn, especially for those familiar with Aurelia
RxJS	Not a core part; can be integrated with libraries like redux-observable	Built on top of RxJS; leverages Observables for state management
Devtools	Excellent Redux DevTools support	Excellent Redux DevTools support

In essence:

• Aurelia Store aims to reduce boilerplate compared to Redux, making it easier to get started and maintain.

• Async operations are handled more seamlessly in Aurelia Store, thanks to its RxJS foundation.

• Aurelia Store is tightly integrated with Aurelia, leveraging its features for a more cohesive development experience.

Differences to MobX

MobX is another popular state management library that takes a different approach than Redux or Aurelia Store. It relies on observables and automatic tracking of dependencies.

Feature	MobX	Aurelia Store
Core Principle	Transparent Functional Reactive Programming (TFRP)	Single, immutable state tree with unidirectional data flow
State Changes	Automatic tracking of observable property changes	Explicit state changes through actions
Immutability	Does not enforce immutability	Enforces immutability
Boilerplate	Minimal boilerplate	Some boilerplate (actions), but less than Redux
Framework	Framework-agnostic	Designed for Aurelia
Learning Curve	Generally considered easy to learn	Easy to learn, especially for Aurelia developers
Computed Values	Built-in support for computed values (similar to Aurelia's computedFrom)	Can be achieved using RxJS operators or Aurelia's computedFrom
Devtools	MobX DevTools available	Leverages Redux DevTools

Key Differences:

• MobX automatically tracks changes to observable properties, while Aurelia Store requires explicit state updates through actions.

• MobX does not enforce immutability, which can lead to potential issues if not handled carefully.

• MobX's core principles (TFRP) differ significantly from Aurelia Store's approach.

Why Choose Aurelia Store over MobX?

• Explicit State Changes: Aurelia Store's explicit state changes through actions make it easier to reason about how and when the state is updated.

• Immutability: Aurelia Store's enforcement of immutability helps prevent accidental side-effects and makes debugging easier.

• Redux DevTools: Aurelia Store's integration with Redux DevTools provides a powerful debugging experience.

• Aurelia Integration: Aurelia Store is designed specifically for Aurelia, providing a more seamless integration with the framework.

Differences to VueX

VueX is the official state management library for Vue.js, and it shares some similarities with Aurelia Store.

Feature	VueX	Aurelia Store
Core Concepts	Mutations, Actions, Getters, Modules	Actions, Store, Middleware
State Changes	Mutations (synchronous) and Actions (can be async)	Actions (can be async)
Immutability	Enforces immutability within mutations	Enforces immutability
Framework	Specifically designed for Vue.js	Designed for Aurelia
Learning Curve	Easy to learn, especially for Vue.js developers	Easy to learn, especially for Aurelia developers
Devtools	Excellent Vue DevTools support	Leverages Redux DevTools
Modules	Built-in support for modules to organize large stores	Can achieve modularity using multiple stores or custom conventions
RxJS	Not a core part	Built on top of RxJS; leverages Observables for state management

Key Differences:

• Mutations vs. Actions: VueX uses mutations for synchronous state changes and actions for asynchronous operations. Aurelia Store uses actions for both.

• Modules: VueX has built-in support for modules, while Aurelia Store relies on other mechanisms for organizing large stores.

• RxJS: VueX does not use RxJS, while Aurelia Store is built on top of it.

Why Choose Aurelia Store over VueX?

• Aurelia Integration: Aurelia Store is designed specifically for Aurelia, providing a more seamless integration with the framework's features.

• RxJS Foundation: Aurelia Store's use of RxJS provides a powerful and flexible way to manage state and handle asynchronous operations.

• Redux DevTools: While Vue DevTools is excellent, some developers might prefer the Redux DevTools ecosystem.