How to Re-render a Component After Updating Cache with React Query

Discover how to efficiently re-render a component in React after making updates to the cache using React Query, without unnecessary network requests.
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How to Re-render a Component After Updating Cache with React Query

In building applications with React, especially when utilizing libraries like React Query for state management and data fetching, you may encounter a situation where your component doesn't update instantly after you've made changes to the cache. This can confuse developers, particularly when you're expecting the UI to reflect the latest data. In this guide, we will explore how to efficiently re-render a component after updating the cache using React Query.

Understanding the Problem

Suppose you have a root component that fetches data from a cache using React Query's useQueryClient as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Once you update this cached data elsewhere in another component, you might notice that the updated data is visible in the React Devtools but not reflected in your UI. This can happen after optimistic updates or when there is a manual change to the cache.

Common Scenario

For instance, you might have a component that fetches the prototypes, and another component that allows users to "like" a prototype. While the cache updates successfully, the root component doesn't re-render with the updated cached data. This is a classic case of a missing UI reactivity in response to cache changes.

The Solution: Configuration and Best Practices

Step 1: Set Cache and Stale Times to Infinity

The first step to ensure the data is fetched from the cache without triggering a new network request is setting the cache and stale times to infinity. This tells React Query to remember the data forever, always returning it from the cache.

Here's how you can implement this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Updating Cache Without Manual Invalidations

Here’s an example using the likePrototype mutation function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Takeaways

Configure Caching: Set cache and stale times to infinity to avoid unnecessary data fetching from the server.

Use setQueryData: Instead of invalidating the query after changes, directly update the data in the cache. This approach ensures that all components listening to the query re-render with the latest data.

Proactive Optimistic Updates: When using optimistic updates, ensure the UI anticipates the expected results before the request is resolved, providing a smoother user experience.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your React components properly re-render after making updates to the cache using React Query. This not only enhances the user experience but also optimizes performance by minimizing unnecessary network requests. Adopting these efficient caching strategies will help you maintain a smooth, reactive UI in your React applications.