How to Use Computed Properties In Vue?

12 minutes read

Computed properties are an important feature in Vue.js that allow you to create reactive data values based on existing data properties. They can be utilized to perform data manipulation, filtering, and aggregation in a declarative and concise manner.


To define a computed property, you can include a computed object within your Vue component's options. Inside this object, you can define functions with a unique name which will serve as the name of the computed property.


Computed properties are not directly accessed like regular data properties; instead, they are accessed as if they were data properties themselves. Vue automatically tracks the dependencies of computed properties and ensures they are updated whenever the underlying data they depend on changes.


Computed properties can be used to perform calculations or transformations on existing data properties. For instance, you can use a computed property to concatenate two strings, format a date, or convert one unit of measurement to another.


In addition to manipulating data values, computed properties can also be used for filtering arrays or performing operations like counting the number of items that meet a certain condition.


By utilizing computed properties, you can keep your template code clean and concise by delegating complex logic to these properties. It also helps to improve performance by caching the computed values and only recalculating them when necessary.


Overall, computed properties are a powerful and flexible tool in Vue.js that enables you to handle data manipulation and aggregation with ease while keeping your code organized and efficient.

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What is the difference between computed properties and watchers in Vue?

Computed properties and watchers are two different features in Vue that serve different purposes.

  1. Computed properties: Computed properties are methods in Vue that compute and return a new value based on one or more existing data properties. They are defined as functions and can be accessed like data properties. Computed properties are cached based on their dependencies, meaning that they only re-evaluate when one or more of their dependencies change. This helps in improving performance by avoiding unnecessary re-computation.


Example:

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computed: {
  fullName() {
    return this.firstName + ' ' + this.lastName;
  }
}


In the above example, fullName is a computed property that depends on firstName and lastName data properties. Whenever firstName or lastName changes, fullName is automatically re-evaluated.

  1. Watchers: Watchers are functions that watch for changes in one or more data properties and trigger a callback function whenever those properties change. Watchers are defined as watch options in Vue component and can perform asynchronous operations or complex logic based on the changes.


Example:

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watch: {
  firstName(newVal, oldVal) {
    // Do something when firstName changes
  },
  lastName: {
    handler(newVal, oldVal) {
      // Do something when lastName changes
    },
    immediate: true // Invoke the handler immediately when the watcher is created
  }
}


In the above example, the watcher watches for changes in firstName and lastName data properties. Whenever either of them changes, the corresponding handler function is invoked.


In summary, computed properties are used to compute and return a new value based on existing data properties, while watchers are used to execute specific logic or perform asynchronous operations when a data property changes. They serve different purposes but can be used together in complex scenarios.


How to use computed properties for conditional CSS classes in Vue?

In Vue, computed properties can be used to conditionally apply CSS classes based on the state of the data in your component. Here's how you can achieve this:

  1. Define the data property that determines the condition for adding a CSS class:
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data() {
  return {
    isActive: false // Example condition
  };
}


  1. Create a computed property that returns the CSS class based on the value of the condition:
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computed: {
  classes() {
    return {
      active: this.isActive // Add 'active' class if isActive is true
    };
  }
}


In this example, the classes computed property returns an object. If isActive is true, it will add the active class to the element.

  1. To apply the CSS class on an element, bind the classes computed property to the class attribute using the v-bind directive or shorthand : syntax:
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<template>
  <div :class="classes">Hello, Vue!</div>
</template>


The :class directive binds the classes computed property to the class attribute of the div element. It applies the CSS class dynamically based on the value of isActive.


Now, whenever isActive changes, Vue will recompute the classes computed property, which in turn updates the CSS class on the element.


You can also use other computed properties or data properties to define multiple conditions for applying CSS classes. Just add more properties to the object returned by the classes computed property.


Note: Make sure to define the CSS classes in your style block or import them from external stylesheets for them to be effective.


What are the advantages of using computed properties in Vue?

Some advantages of using computed properties in Vue are:

  1. Efficiency: Computed properties are cached based on their dependencies, which means they will only be recomputed if their dependencies have changed. This can greatly improve performance and reduce unnecessary computations.
  2. Readability: Computed properties allow you to define complex calculations or transformations in a simple and declarative syntax. This can make your code more readable and easier to understand.
  3. Reusability: Computed properties can be used in multiple places within a Vue component or across multiple components. This promotes code reuse and reduces duplication.
  4. Dependency tracking: Computed properties automatically track their dependencies, so whenever a dependency changes, the computed property will automatically update. This eliminates the need for manual tracking or callback functions.
  5. Flexibility: Computed properties can also be used in combination with other Vue features, such as watchers and filters, to provide even more flexibility and control over your data.


Overall, computed properties provide a powerful and efficient way to perform complex calculations, transformations, and data manipulations in Vue components.


How to pass arguments to computed properties in Vue?

In Vue, you can pass arguments to computed properties by defining them as methods instead. Here's an example:

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<template>
  <div>
    <input type="number" v-model="num1">
    <input type="number" v-model="num2">
    <p>The sum of {{ num1 }} and {{ num2 }} is {{ sum }}</p>
  </div>
</template>

<script>
export default {
  data() {
    return {
      num1: 0,
      num2: 0
    };
  },
  methods: {
    calculateSum(num1, num2) {
      return num1 + num2;
    }
  },
  computed: {
    sum() {
      return this.calculateSum(this.num1, this.num2);
    }
  }
};
</script>


In this example, we have two input fields bound to num1 and num2 using v-model. We define a method called calculateSum that takes two arguments num1 and num2 and returns their sum. We then use this method in the computed property sum to calculate the sum of num1 and num2. As num1 and num2 change, the computed property sum will automatically update.


How to use computed properties in Vue router?

Computed properties in Vue router allow you to dynamically generate routes based on data in your Vue component. Here's how you can use computed properties in Vue router:

  1. Install Vue Router by running the following command in your project directory: npm install vue-router
  2. Import Vue and Vue Router in your Vue component file: import Vue from 'vue'; import VueRouter from 'vue-router';
  3. Use Vue Router in your Vue component: Vue.use(VueRouter);
  4. Define your routes as an array of objects with a path and component property: const routes = [ { path: '/home', component: Home }, { path: '/about', component: About }, { path: '/contact', component: Contact } ];
  5. Create a new Vue Router instance with your routes: const router = new VueRouter({ routes });
  6. In your Vue component, define a computed property that generates the dynamic routes: computed: { dynamicRoutes() { // Generate routes based on some data in your component return this.items.map(item => ({ path: `/item/${item.id}`, component: Item })); } }
  7. Use the computed property for your routes: const routes = [ { path: '/home', component: Home }, { path: '/about', component: About }, { path: '/contact', component: Contact }, ...this.dynamicRoutes ];
  8. Pass the router instance to your Vue instance: new Vue({ router }).$mount('#app');
  9. Use the component to render the matched component of the current route in your Vue template:


That's it! Now you can dynamically generate routes in Vue Router using computed properties based on data in your Vue component.


How to use computed properties with v-for in Vue?

To use computed properties with v-for in Vue, you can follow these steps:

  1. Create a computed property: Start by defining a computed property in your Vue component. This computed property should return the data that you want to display in your list using v-for.
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computed: {
  computedItems() {
    // Perform any computation here and return the desired data
    return this.items.map(item => item.name.toUpperCase());
  }
}


  1. Use the computed property in your template: Next, use the computed property inside the v-for directive in your template. You can access the computed property just like any other data property in your Vue instance.
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<ul>
  <li v-for="item in computedItems" :key="item">{{ item }}</li>
</ul>


In the above example, the computedItems computed property is used inside v-for to render a list of items. Each item is accessed using the "item" variable.


Note: Make sure to provide a unique key attribute to each v-for rendered item to optimize rendering and avoid any issues. In the example above, we used :key="item" to create a unique key for each list item.


That's it! The computed property will update itself automatically whenever the dependent data changes, and the v-for directive will re-render the list accordingly.

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