Question 1

How does Firestorter compare to using the Firestore SDK directly with React hooks?

Accepted Answer

Firestorter simplifies real-time updates and state management by automating listener lifecycle and integrating with MobX for efficient re-renders, whereas the direct SDK offers more control but requires manual handling of listeners and state, increasing boilerplate code. Choose Firestorter for productivity in reactive apps, or the SDK for fine-grained control in simpler setups.

Question 2

How to implement pagination or infinite scrolling with Firestorter collections?

Accepted Answer

Use Firestore's query methods like 'limit' and 'startAfter' on Collection instances, and manage state for pagination manually, as Firestorter doesn't provide built-in pagination helpers. You'll need to handle loading states and update queries reactively based on user interactions, similar to standard Firestore usage but wrapped in MobX observers.

Question 3

Can Firestorter be used with Next.js for server-side rendering?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but with limitations: Firestorter's real-time listeners and MobX are client-side focused, so server-side rendering might require disabling automatic fetching or using manual modes to avoid hydration issues. You may need to implement strategies to sync initial server data with client-side updates, which adds complexity.

Question 4

How to handle user authentication and secure data access with Firestorter?

Accepted Answer

Integrate Firebase Authentication separately and use Firestore security rules; Firestorter doesn't manage authentication directly. Pass the authenticated Firestore instance during initialization, and ensure collection/document paths respect user permissions, with reactive updates based on auth state changes handled via MobX observables.

Question 5

Is Firestorter suitable for large-scale applications with complex data relationships?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can scale with features like aggregate collections and schema validation, but performance depends on MobX optimization and careful listener management. For very complex graphs, you might need to supplement with additional state management or caching strategies, as Firestorter's abstraction might not cover all edge cases.

Question 6

Firestorter or react-redux-firebase: which is better for Firestore in React?

Accepted Answer

Firestorter is lighter and simpler with MobX for reactive updates, ideal for teams preferring minimal boilerplate. react-redux-firebase integrates with Redux, offering a more structured approach for large teams already using Redux. Choose based on your state management preference: MobX for ease, Redux for predictability in complex apps.

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