Programmatic navigation with useRouter in Vue - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is useRouter in Vue?

useRouter is a function that gives you access to the router instance inside Vue components. It lets you change pages or routes programmatically.

beginner

How do you navigate to a new route using useRouter?

You call router.push('/path') where router is the object returned by useRouter(). This changes the page to the new path.

intermediate

What is the difference between router.push() and router.replace()?

router.push() adds a new entry to the browser history, so the user can go back. router.replace() changes the route without adding a new history entry.

intermediate

How do you pass route parameters when navigating programmatically?

You pass an object to router.push() with name of the route and params object. For example: router.push({ name: 'user', params: { id: 123 } }).

beginner

Why use programmatic navigation instead of <router-link>?

Programmatic navigation lets you change routes based on logic, like after a form submits or a button click, where you can't use a static link.

Which Vue function gives you access to the router instance for navigation?

A useRouter

B useRoute

C useNavigate

D useLink

useRouter provides the router instance to navigate programmatically.

What does router.push('/home') do?

A Navigates to '/home' but replaces current history entry

B Reloads the current page

C Navigates to the '/home' route and adds to history

D Does nothing

router.push navigates to a new route and adds a new entry to browser history.

How do you navigate to a named route with parameters?

A router.push('/routeName/param')

B router.push({ name: 'routeName', params: { id: 1 } })

C router.navigate('routeName', 1)

D router.go('routeName', { id: 1 })

You pass an object with name and params to router.push.

Which method changes the route without adding a new history entry?

A router.replace()

B router.back()

C router.push()

D router.forward()

router.replace() replaces the current history entry.

When is programmatic navigation preferred over <router-link>?

A When you want static links

B When you want to style links

C When you want SEO optimization

D When navigation depends on user actions or logic

Programmatic navigation is used when route changes depend on code logic or events.

Explain how to use useRouter to navigate to a new page with parameters in Vue.

Think about how to pass route name and parameters as an object.

Describe the difference between router.push() and router.replace() and when to use each.

Consider how browser back button behaves with each.

Practice

1. What does the useRouter function provide in a Vue 3 component?

easy

A. A method to style components dynamically

B. A way to fetch data from an API

C. Access to the router instance to navigate programmatically

D. A tool to manage component state

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of useRouter

   useRouter is a Vue Router composable that gives access to the router instance inside setup functions.

2. Step 2: Identify what the router instance allows

   The router instance allows programmatic navigation, such as using router.push() to change routes.

3. Final Answer:

   Access to the router instance to navigate programmatically -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   useRouter = router access [OK]

Hint: Remember: useRouter gives router control inside components [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking useRouter fetches data
• Confusing useRouter with state management
• Assuming useRouter styles components

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to navigate to the '/home' route using useRouter in Vue 3?

easy

A. const router = useRouter(); router.change('/home');

B. const router = useRouter(); router.push('/home');

C. const router = useRouter(); router.navigate('/home');

D. const router = useRouter(); router.go('/home');

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the method to change routes programmatically

   The correct method to navigate is router.push().

2. Step 2: Match the syntax with the correct method

   Only router.push('/home') is valid; other methods like go, navigate, or change do not exist on the router instance.

3. Final Answer:

   const router = useRouter(); router.push('/home'); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   router.push() navigates routes [OK]

Hint: Use router.push() to navigate routes programmatically [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using router.go() instead of router.push()
• Trying router.navigate() which is invalid
• Calling router.change() which doesn't exist

3. Consider this Vue 3 setup code snippet:

import { useRouter } from 'vue-router';
export default {
  setup() {
    const router = useRouter();
    function goToProfile() {
      router.push({ name: 'profile', params: { userId: 42 } });
    }
    return { goToProfile };
  }
}

What happens when goToProfile() is called?

medium

A. The app reloads the current page

B. Nothing happens because router.push requires a string path

C. An error occurs because params cannot be passed this way

D. The app navigates to the route named 'profile' with userId 42 as a parameter

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand router.push with named routes and params

   Using router.push({ name: 'profile', params: { userId: 42 } }) navigates to the route named 'profile' and passes the parameter userId=42.

2. Step 2: Confirm this is valid syntax and behavior

   This is the correct way to navigate to a named route with parameters in Vue Router.

3. Final Answer:

   The app navigates to the route named 'profile' with userId 42 as a parameter -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   router.push({name, params}) navigates with params [OK]

Hint: Use object with name and params in router.push() for named routes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking params can't be passed as object
• Assuming router.push only accepts string paths
• Confusing params with query parameters

4. Identify the error in this Vue 3 setup function using useRouter:

import { useRouter } from 'vue-router';
export default {
  setup() {
    const router = useRouter;
    function goHome() {
      router.push('/home');
    }
    return { goHome };
  }
}

medium

A. useRouter is not called as a function, missing parentheses

B. router.push should use an object, not a string

C. goHome function is not returned from setup

D. router.push is not a valid method

Solution

1. Step 1: Check how useRouter is assigned

   The code assigns const router = useRouter; without parentheses, so router is a reference to the function, not the router instance.

2. Step 2: Understand the impact on router.push call

   Since router is not the router instance, calling router.push() will cause an error because router is not an object with push method.

3. Final Answer:

   useRouter is not called as a function, missing parentheses -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Call useRouter() with () to get router instance [OK]

Hint: Always call useRouter() with parentheses to get router [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting parentheses after useRouter
• Using string instead of object incorrectly (not error here)
• Not returning functions from setup (actually returned here)

5. You want to redirect users to the login page if they are not authenticated after clicking a button. Which Vue 3 setup code correctly uses useRouter for this programmatic navigation?

hard

A. const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.push('/login'); }

B. const router = useRouter; function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.push('/login'); }

C. const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.go('/login'); }

D. const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.navigate('/login'); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Confirm correct useRouter call

   const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.push('/login'); } correctly calls useRouter() with parentheses to get the router instance.

2. Step 2: Verify correct navigation method

   const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.push('/login'); } uses router.push('/login'), which is the correct method to navigate programmatically.

3. Final Answer:

   const router = useRouter(); function checkAuth() { if (!isAuthenticated) router.push('/login'); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Call useRouter() and use router.push() for navigation [OK]

Hint: Call useRouter() and use router.push() to redirect [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not calling useRouter as a function
• Using router.go() or router.navigate() which don't exist
• Forgetting to check authentication before navigation