Use computed() Instead of watchEffect() for Derived State

Impact: MEDIUM - When you need state that derives from other reactive state, always prefer computed() over using watchEffect() to mutate a ref. Computed properties are declarative, automatically cached, and clearly express the dependency relationship.

Using watchEffect() to mutate a ref works but creates unnecessary indirection: you're imperatively updating state based on dependencies rather than declaring the relationship. This makes the code harder to understand and prevents Vue from optimizing.

Task Checklist

Use computed() when the result is a pure transformation of reactive state
Use watchEffect() only for side effects (DOM manipulation, logging, API calls)
Never use watchEffect to mutate a ref just to derive a value
Remember computed values are cached and only re-compute when dependencies change

Incorrect:

import { ref, watchEffect } from 'vue';

const A0 = ref(1);
const A1 = ref(2);
const A2 = ref(); // Unnecessary ref

// WRONG: Using watchEffect to derive state
watchEffect(() => {
  A2.value = A0.value + A1.value;
});

// Problems:
// 1. A2 is writable when it shouldn't be
// 2. Imperative instead of declarative
// 3. No caching optimization
// 4. Harder to trace dependencies

// WRONG: Complex derived state with watchEffect
const items = ref([{ price: 10 }, { price: 20 }]);
const total = ref(0);

watchEffect(() => {
  total.value = items.value.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price, 0);
});

Correct:

import { ref, computed } from 'vue';

const A0 = ref(1);
const A1 = ref(2);

// CORRECT: Declarative derived state
const A2 = computed(() => A0.value + A1.value);

// Benefits:
// 1. A2 is read-only by default
// 2. Clearly declares the dependency relationship
// 3. Cached - only recalculates when A0 or A1 changes
// 4. Easy to understand data flow

// CORRECT: Complex derived state with computed
const items = ref([{ price: 10 }, { price: 20 }]);

const total = computed(() => {
  return items.value.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price, 0);
});

// Multiple derived values
const itemCount = computed(() => items.value.length);
const averagePrice = computed(() => (items.value.length ? total.value / itemCount.value : 0));

When watchEffect IS appropriate:

import { ref, watchEffect } from 'vue';

const searchQuery = ref('');

// CORRECT: watchEffect for side effects
watchEffect(() => {
  // Logging
  console.log(`Search query changed: ${searchQuery.value}`);

  // DOM manipulation
  document.title = `Search: ${searchQuery.value}`;
});

// CORRECT: watchEffect for async side effects
watchEffect(async () => {
  if (searchQuery.value) {
    // API call (side effect, not derived state)
    await api.logSearch(searchQuery.value);
  }
});

Summary of when to use each:

// Use computed() when:
// - You're deriving a value from reactive state
// - The result is pure (no side effects)
// - You want caching
const fullName = computed(() => `${firstName.value} ${lastName.value}`);

// Use watchEffect() when:
// - You need to perform side effects
// - You're interacting with external systems
// - You need to run async operations
watchEffect(() => {
  document.title = fullName.value; // Side effect
});

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Use computed() Instead of watchEffect() for Derived State

Task Checklist

Reference

3.8 KiB

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