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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Anchor State Management ​

Find answers to common questions about Anchor, the revolutionary state management library for modern web applications.

What is Anchor? ​

Anchor is a revolutionary state management framework for modern web applications. It introduces the DSV (Data-State-View) model, a new architectural philosophy that redefines how you build reactive user interfaces. Anchor focuses on the AX (All eXperience) philosophy, which aims to empower developers with intuitive code while providing users with a blazing-fast, fluid experience.

What makes Anchor different from other state management libraries? ​

Anchor stands out from other state management solutions with several unique features:

  1. Fine-Grained Reactivity: Only components that depend on specific state changes are re-rendered, eliminating wasted renders
  2. True Immutability: Direct mutation syntax with proxy-based write contracts for safety without performance penalties
  3. DSV Architecture: Clean Data-State-View separation that eliminates prop drilling and context hell
  4. Integrated Built-ins: Includes optimistic UI, history tracking, reactive storage, and reactive requests out of the box
  5. Framework Agnostic: Works seamlessly with React, Vue, Svelte, and vanilla JavaScript

How does Anchor's performance compare to other solutions? ​

Anchor is designed for maximum performance with:

  • Fine-Grained Updates: Only relevant components are re-rendered
  • Optimized State Updates: No deep cloning required for mutations
  • Minimal Overhead: Lightweight library with fast startup times
  • Efficient Memory Usage: Designed to consume minimal resources

In benchmark tests, Anchor significantly outperforms traditional state management solutions, especially as applications scale.

Is Anchor suitable for large applications? ​

Yes, Anchor is specifically designed for enterprise-scale applications. Its architecture scales gracefully with application complexity:

  • Modular Design: Components only observe the state they need
  • Memory Efficient: Automatic cleanup prevents memory leaks
  • Predictable State: Single source of truth eliminates state inconsistencies
  • Developer Tools: Built-in debugging and development tools

How does Anchor handle immutability? ​

Anchor implements True Immutability through a proxy-based system:

  • Direct Mutation Syntax: Write state.user.name = 'John' directly
  • Write Contracts: Changes are applied through controlled contracts
  • Compile-time Safety: Type checking prevents unauthorized mutations
  • Runtime Protection: Proxies trap unauthorized mutations

This approach gives you the benefits of immutability without the performance overhead of deep cloning.

Which frameworks does Anchor support? ​

Anchor provides first-class support for:

  • React: Full hooks integration with useObserved and useWriter
  • Vue: Seamless reactivity integration with the Vue ecosystem
  • Svelte: Native integration with Svelte's reactivity system
  • Vanilla JavaScript: Framework-agnostic core package

How do I get started with Anchor? ​

  1. Install Anchor using npm or yarn:

    bash
    npm install @anchorlib/core
# For React
npm install @anchorlib/react
# For Vue
npm install @anchorlib/vue
# For Svelte
npm install @anchorlib/svelte

  2. Import and create your first state:

    javascript
    import { anchor } from '@anchorlib/core';

const state = anchor({
  count: 0,
  name: 'Anchor',
});

  3. Refer to our Getting Started guide for detailed instructions.

Is Anchor production ready? ​

Yes, Anchor is production ready with:

  • 100% Test Coverage: Comprehensive testing across all modules
  • Enterprise Adoption: Used in large-scale applications
  • Active Development: Regular updates and improvements
  • Community Support: Active community and issue tracking

How does Anchor handle state persistence? ​

Anchor includes built-in reactive storage solutions:

  • Persistent Storage: Two-way binding with localStorage and IndexedDB
  • Session Storage: Session-specific state persistence
  • KV Store: Key-value storage for simple data
  • Table Store: Structured data storage with querying capabilities

Can I use Anchor with my existing state management solution? ​

Yes, Anchor can coexist with existing state management solutions. You can gradually migrate parts of your application to Anchor without rewriting everything at once.

How do I debug Anchor applications? ​

Anchor provides several debugging tools:

  • Built-in DevTools: Visualize state changes and component dependencies
  • Derivation Logging: Log state changes to the console with derive.log
  • State Snapshots: Capture and inspect state at any point in time
  • Error Handling: Comprehensive error messages for common issues

Where can I get help with Anchor? ​

You can get help through:

  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides and API references
  • GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
  • Community Discord: Real-time chat with other developers
  • Stack Overflow: Q&A with the developer community

How do I contribute to Anchor? ​

Contributions are welcome! You can:

  • Report Issues: File bugs or suggest features on GitHub
  • Submit Pull Requests: Contribute code improvements
  • Improve Documentation: Help make the docs better
  • Answer Questions: Support other developers in the community

Check out our Contributing Guide for more details.