How to Effectively Search an API in Vue.js

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The Problem

Understanding the API Request

In your current setup, you've used Axios for making HTTP requests. However, the request made during the mounted() lifecycle hook retrieves all actors only once when the component loads. This means that no further queries happen when users type in the search bar. To enhance the search functionality, you have a couple of options available.

Solution Options

Option 1: Local Filtering

This approach means fetching all actors from the API once and then filtering them locally on the client side. Here’s how you can implement this:

Advantages

Fast Searching: No need to query the API repeatedly; searching is quick as everything is available locally.

Control Over Matching: You can easily customize how records match your search query.

Downsides

Data Refresh: If new data is available on the API, you need to refresh the page to access the latest information.

Implementation Steps

Store Full Data Locally: Use the actorInfo data property to hold all records.

Create a Computed Property: Set up a computed property that filters based on the input value.

Here's a sample code snippet:

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

Option 2: Fetching on Every Keystroke

This approach involves querying the API every time a user types in the search bar. This can ensure users always get the most up-to-date information.

Advantages

Instant Updates: New data from the API is visible immediately without page refresh.

Downsides

Latency Issues: Users may experience noticeable slowdowns between keystrokes.

Risk of Rate Limiting: If queries are too frequent, you may hit the API's rate limits.

Implementation Steps

Create a Search Method: Implement a method that fetches data from the API with each input.

Invoke the Search Method on Input: Call this method when the input changes.

Here's how the code would look:

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

Conclusion

Feel free to experiment with different matching algorithms in your filters, and remember—practice makes perfect. Happy coding!