Immer is a JavaScript library that allows you to work with immutable state in a more convenient and efficient way. It simplifies the process of updating nested data structures by enabling you to write mutable code that is automatically converted into immutable updates. Immer provides a simple API for creating drafts of your state, making changes, and producing the next immutable state without the need for manual copying or cloning.
Immutable is a JavaScript library that provides persistent data structures to make working with immutable data easier and more efficient. It allows you to create immutable collections like List, Map, and Set, which are ideal for managing state in applications where immutability is crucial for predictable behavior and performance optimization.
Immer and Immutable.js are both popular npm packages in the JavaScript community. However, Immutable.js has been around for a longer time and has a larger user base, making it more established and widely adopted.
Usage and Integration
Immer is a lightweight library that allows for easy immutable state updates using a simple and intuitive API. It works seamlessly with plain JavaScript objects. On the other hand, Immutable.js provides a more powerful and feature-rich immutable data structure library. It introduces its own classes and methods for manipulating immutable data structures in a functional programming style.
Performance
When it comes to performance, Immer generally performs better than Immutable.js due to its optimized handling of immutable state updates. Immer is built with performance in mind and utilizes structural sharing techniques to minimize memory usage and update costs. Immutable.js, while providing powerful features, can be less performant, especially with large data structures.
Developer Experience
Immer has a simpler API and is easier to learn and use compared to Immutable.js. It provides a simpler and more intuitive approach to immutability, allowing developers to work with mutable-like syntax while ensuring immutability. Immutable.js, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive API and functional programming paradigm.
Interoperability
Since Immer operates at a shallow level and allows for seamless integration with existing JavaScript objects, it plays well with other libraries and frameworks. Immutable.js, on the other hand, introduces its own data structures, which may require additional effort for integration with other parts of the application ecosystem.
Community Support and Maintenance
Immutable.js has a larger and more established community support, documentation, and resources compared to Immer. It has been extensively used and tested in production environments. However, Immer is actively maintained and continues to gain popularity, with a growing community and adequate documentation and support.
