Exploring Unified HTTP Clients versus Separate Libraries in React Development

In the evolving landscape of React application development, managing data fetching, caching, and state updates remains a core challenge. Developers often face a recurring decision: whether to use a combination of specialized libraries for each task or to adopt a more integrated, unified approach. This article delves into these options, highlighting recent innovations like the “Next Unified Query”—a project that seeks to streamline data handling in React projects through an all-in-one HTTP client.

The Traditional Approach: Multiple Specialized Libraries

Typically, React developers assemble their data fetching and state management solutions by combining tools like TanStack Query (formerly React Query), SWR, and request libraries such as Axios, ky, or the native fetch API. The common workflow involves:

• Creating separate query or mutation clients for each data source.
• Configuring request instances individually with base URLs, headers, interceptors, etc.
• Managing cache keys, invalidation, and error handling independently.
• Integrating validation schemas, often via tools like Zod, with manual typings.

While this modular approach offers flexibility—allowing fine-grained control over each aspect—it also introduces repetitive configuration, boilerplate code, and potential inconsistencies across components and projects.

Advantages of the separate libraries approach include:
– Flexibility: Fine-tuned control over each data source and request behavior.
– Specialization: Using tools optimized for specific tasks.
– Independence: Ease of updating or swapping individual components without affecting others.

However, the complexity and boilerplate can become cumbersome, especially in larger projects or when onboarding new team members.

The Emergence of an Integrated Solution: “Next Unified Query”

In pursuit of simplifying this workflow, a recent experiment called Next Unified Query has been developed. This project aims to create a comprehensive HTTP client that consolidates data fetching, caching, and state management into a single, cohesive interface.

Key features include:

• Single configuration point: Centralized setup for all requests, including base URL, headers, and other options.
• Type-safe endpoints: Compile-time validation of HTTP methods and request schemas, leveraging TypeScript features.
• Schema validation: Built-in integration with Zod schemas and TypeScript inference for robust validation with minimal boilerplate.
• Reusable API factories: Pattern-based definitions for common API endpoints, promoting code reuse and consistency.

**Example comparison