RxJS 1 (Reactive Extensions for JavaScript) is a library for reactive programming that enables handling asynchronous data streams (observables) and event-based actions. It is widely used in frameworks like Angular but can be integrated into any JavaScript application. Essentially, it provides a powerful way to work with asynchronous events and data flows in a more manageable and composable manner.
📌 Essential concepts in RxJS:
- Observable: are collection of data or event sources that emits values over time, allowing you to react to new or updated values asynchronously using by subscribing (subscription) to them.
- Observer: Is a set or collection of callbacks which is used to listen the values delivered by the observables.
- Subscription: responsible for listening & respond to every update happening within the observables.
- Operator: are functions like array methods (
map,filterand etc), to deals with observables. - Subject: the only way of multicasting a value or event to multiple observers
- Schedulers: manage the timing and order of tasks, letting us control when actions run on various timing when using mechanism like
setTimeout,requestAnimationFrame, or others.
RxJS is ideal for applications that handle asynchronous data streams, such as UI elements reacting to user inputs over time.