How to Set a Default Query Parameter in Vue Router

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How to Set a Default Query Parameter in Vue Router

The Problem

Imagine you're developing an application with a paginated list. You want to make sure the URL always contains a specific query parameter, like size=10, to ensure consistent behavior across your app. Here's what it might look like in the URL:

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However, you may find that using the initial router setup might not produce the desired result. For instance, when checking the routing info via Vue Devtools, you might see an empty query object, which means the expected default parameter isn't being registered in the URL.

The Solution: Using Navigation Guards

To guarantee that a default query parameter is added when navigating to specific routes, you can utilize Vue Router's beforeEach navigation guard. This method allows for intercepting route changes and making necessary adjustments before the actual navigation occurs. Here's how you can implement this solution:

Step-by-Step Implementation

Define Your Routes: Start by setting up the routes in your application without the default query parameters. Here's a simple definition of a route for the homepage.

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

Create the Router: Set up the Vue Router with the defined routes as shown below.

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

Implement beforeEach Guard: Add a navigation guard to your router instance. This will check if the size query parameter exists, and if it doesn't, it assigns a default value.

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

Explanation of the Code

beforeEach: This is a lifecycle hook provided by Vue Router that allows you to run logic before the route changes.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively set a default query parameter for your Vue Router routes, ensuring that your application behaves consistently for users. This approach not only enhances user experience but also simplifies your application's state management regarding pagination. Whether you're developing a simple application or a complex multi-page site, handling default query parameters is a fundamental skill that can greatly improve your project.

If you have any further questions or need clarification on any steps, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!