Reactive data with ref in Vue - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is ref in Vue's Composition API?

ref is a function that creates a reactive reference to a value. It lets Vue track changes to that value and update the UI automatically.

beginner

How do you access the value inside a ref?

You access or change the value inside a ref by using the .value property.

Example: count.value = 5

beginner

Why use ref instead of a normal variable in Vue?

Normal variables are not reactive. ref makes the variable reactive so Vue knows when it changes and updates the UI automatically.

intermediate

Can ref hold objects or arrays?

Yes, ref can hold any type of value, including objects and arrays. Vue will track changes inside them reactively.

intermediate

What happens if you assign a new object to a ref?

When you assign a new object to a ref using .value, Vue updates the reactive reference and the UI updates accordingly.

How do you create a reactive number with ref in Vue?

A const count = ref(0)

B const count = reactive(0)

C const count = 0

D const count = ref.value(0)

ref(0) creates a reactive reference to the number 0.

How do you update the value inside a ref named count?

A count = 5

B count.value = 5

C count.set(5)

D count.update(5)

You must use .value to update the value inside a ref.

Which of these is true about ref?

A It only works with primitive values

B It disables reactivity

C It is used to create components

D It makes variables reactive

ref makes variables reactive so Vue can track changes.

If you have const user = ref({ name: 'Anna' }), how do you change the name?

A user.setName('Bob')

B user.name = 'Bob'

C user.value.name = 'Bob'

D user.value = 'Bob'

You access the object inside ref with .value and then update its properties.

What happens if you assign a new array to a ref variable?

A Vue updates the reactive reference and UI

B The array becomes non-reactive

C Vue throws an error

D Vue ignores the change

Assigning a new value to .value updates the reactive reference and triggers UI updates.

Explain how ref works in Vue and why it is useful.

Think about how Vue tracks changes to variables.

Describe how you would update a property inside an object stored in a ref.

Remember .value holds the actual object.

Practice

1. What does the ref function in Vue do?

easy

A. Defines a new component

B. Creates a reactive data reference that Vue tracks for changes

C. Imports external libraries

D. Sets up routing between pages

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of ref

   ref is used to create reactive data that Vue can track and update the UI when it changes.

2. Step 2: Compare options with ref usage

   Options A, C, and D describe unrelated Vue features like components, imports, and routing, not reactive data.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a reactive data reference that Vue tracks for changes -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   ref creates reactive data = B [OK]

Hint: Remember: ref makes data reactive for UI updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing ref with component creation
• Thinking ref imports libraries
• Mixing ref with routing setup

2. Which is the correct way to declare a reactive variable count initialized to 0 using ref in Vue?

easy

A. var count = ref;

B. const count = reactive(0);

C. const count = ref(0);

D. let count = ref = 0;

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct ref syntax

   The correct syntax is const count = ref(0); to create a reactive reference with initial value 0.

2. Step 2: Identify incorrect options

   const count = reactive(0); uses reactive incorrectly with a primitive. let count = ref = 0; has invalid assignment syntax. var count = ref; incorrectly assigns the ref function without calling it and uses var which is discouraged in modern Vue code.

3. Final Answer:

   const count = ref(0); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use const with ref() for reactive variables = D [OK]

Hint: Use const and call ref() with initial value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using reactive() for primitives
• Incorrect assignment syntax
• Using var instead of const

3. Given the code:

import { ref } from 'vue';
const count = ref(5);
count.value++;
console.log(count.value);

What will be logged to the console?

medium

A. 6

B. 5

C. undefined

D. Error: count is not a function

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand ref and .value usage

   count is a reactive reference initialized to 5. Incrementing count.value++ increases it to 6.

2. Step 2: Determine console output

   Logging count.value after increment prints 6.

3. Final Answer:

   6 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Increment ref.value updates value = 6 [OK]

Hint: Remember to use .value to access and update ref data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Logging count instead of count.value
• Forgetting to use .value to update
• Expecting original value without increment

4. What is wrong with this Vue code snippet?

import { ref } from 'vue';
const message = ref('Hello');
message = 'Hi';

medium

A. You cannot reassign a ref variable directly; must update .value

B. ref cannot hold string values

C. Missing parentheses when calling ref

D. No import statement for ref

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to update ref values

   Ref variables are constants holding reactive objects. You cannot reassign the variable itself; instead, update the inner value with message.value = 'Hi';.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   ref cannot hold string values is false because ref can hold strings. Missing parentheses when calling ref is false because ref is called correctly. No import statement for ref is false because import is present.

3. Final Answer:

   You cannot reassign a ref variable directly; must update .value -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Update ref.value, not ref variable = C [OK]

Hint: Change .value property, not the ref variable itself [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Reassigning ref variable instead of .value
• Thinking ref can't hold strings
• Missing import statement

5. You want to create a reactive counter that increments only if the current count is less than 10. Which Vue code correctly implements this using ref?

hard

A. let count = ref(0);
if (count.value <= 10) {
count.value += 1;
}

B. const count = ref(0);
if (count < 10) {
count++;
}

C. const count = reactive(0);
if (count.value < 10) {
count.value++;
}

D. const count = ref(0);
if (count.value < 10) {
count.value++;
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Use ref and access .value correctly

   const count = ref(0); if (count.value < 10) { count.value++; } correctly declares count with ref(0) and checks count.value < 10 before incrementing count.value++.

2. Step 2: Identify errors in other options

   const count = ref(0); if (count < 10) { count++; } incorrectly compares and increments count without .value. const count = reactive(0); if (count.value < 10) { count.value++; } uses reactive with a primitive, which is incorrect. let count = ref(0); if (count.value <= 10) { count.value += 1; } uses let (allowed but less preferred) and checks <= 10, which allows increment at 10, violating the condition.

3. Final Answer:

   const count = ref(0); if (count.value < 10) { count.value++; } -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use ref with .value and correct condition = A [OK]

Hint: Always use .value to read and write ref data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting .value when reading or writing
• Using reactive() for primitives
• Incorrect comparison operators