What is lodash.flow?
The lodash.flow package is a utility library that allows you to create a function pipeline by composing multiple functions. It is part of the Lodash library, which is a popular utility library for JavaScript. The flow function takes multiple functions as arguments and returns a new function that, when invoked, passes its arguments through each of the original functions from left to right.
What are lodash.flow's main functionalities?
Function Composition
This feature allows you to compose multiple functions into a single function. In the example, the composedFunction applies the add, multiply, and subtract functions in sequence to the input value.
const _ = require('lodash.flow');
const add = (x) => x + 1;
const multiply = (x) => x * 2;
const subtract = (x) => x - 3;
const composedFunction = _.flow([add, multiply, subtract]);
console.log(composedFunction(5)); // Output: 9
Data Transformation
This feature is useful for transforming data through a series of functions. In the example, the transform function converts a string to uppercase, appends an exclamation mark, and then splits it into an array of words.
const _ = require('lodash.flow');
const toUpperCase = (str) => str.toUpperCase();
const appendExclamation = (str) => str + '!';
const splitWords = (str) => str.split(' ');
const transform = _.flow([toUpperCase, appendExclamation, splitWords]);
console.log(transform('hello world')); // Output: [ 'HELLO', 'WORLD!' ]
Other packages similar to lodash.flow
ramda
Ramda is a functional programming library for JavaScript that provides a wide range of utility functions, including function composition. It is similar to lodash.flow but offers a more comprehensive set of functional programming tools.
compose-function
compose-function is a small utility library that provides a simple way to compose functions. It is similar to lodash.flow but is more lightweight and focused solely on function composition.
redux
Redux is a state management library for JavaScript applications. While its primary purpose is not function composition, it provides a compose function that can be used to achieve similar functionality to lodash.flow.
lodash.flow v3.5.0
The lodash method _.flow
exported as a Node.js module.
Installation
Using npm:
$ {sudo -H} npm i -g npm
$ npm i --save lodash.flow
In Node.js:
var flow = require('lodash.flow');
See the documentation or package source for more details.