How can I display a modal dialog in Redux that performs asynchronous actions?

javascript

redux-thunk

async-handling

modal-dialogs

byNikita Barsukov·Dec 27, 2024

Create a Redux-powered modal using Redux Thunk for async logic and React for rendering.

Step 1: Establish modal state in the Redux store. Step 2: Forge action creators for modal control and async tasks. Step 3: Mold your reducer to respond to these actions. Step 4: Connect the modal React component to Redux state.

Let's code:

// Actions for controlling modal and executing async operation
export const showModal = () => ({ type: 'SHOW_MODAL' }); // Who said coding can't be magic? Abracadabra!
export const hideModal = () => ({ type: 'HIDE_MODAL' }); // Now you see me, now you don't
export const asyncAction = () => async dispatch => {
  dispatch({ type: 'ASYNC_START' }); // Let's rock!
  try {
    // expect performAsyncOperation() to return a promise, else it's just synchronous 
    const result = await performAsyncOperation(); 
    dispatch({ type: 'ASYNC_SUCCESS', payload: result }); // Woo-hoo! Success!
    dispatch(hideModal()); // Bye-bye modal
  } catch (error) {
    dispatch({ type: 'ASYNC_FAIL', error }); // Ouch! Errors hurt
  }
};

// Modal Component, rendered only when visible
const Modal = ({ isVisible, dispatch }) => {
  if (!isVisible) return null;
  return (
    <div className="modal">
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(hideModal())}>Close</button> // Hide and seek champion
      <button onClick={() => dispatch(asyncAction())}>Confirm</button> // Is this the button to launch a missile? Nah!
    </div>
  );
};

export default connect(({ modal: { isVisible } }) => ({ isVisible }))(Modal);

Here, performAsyncOperation() should return a promise. Dispatch modal along with async actions, as required. This strategy provides you a scalable modal along with an asynchronous interaction blueprint within your Redux application.

Let’s discuss how to efficiently manage your Redux modals:

Ports for your modals

Instead of rendering your modals directly within their parent components, use React Portals. It helps in avoiding z-index and styling conflicts by rendering the modals directly into the body tag.

Creating generic, or reusable, modal components is essential for code compactness. They can be tailored using render props to custom-fit in distinct scenarios.

Distancing presentation from state

Maintaining your modal as a presentational component and keeping it detached from state logic is crucial. This allows Redux to manage the state and pass down the necessary attributes to control modal's visibility and actions from within.

Cozying up with Redux

Connecting your modal to your Redux store provides ease in controlling its state from any part of your application. This also lets you take asynchronous actions triggered by modal interactions without losing the signal of modal visibility in your central store.

Async handling for modals

To handle asynchronous actions in your modal, consider:

Redux Thunk: Delays and handles promises using action creators that return function instead of action, making it perfect for suppressing actions.
Redux Saga: More control and specifically suited for complex situations such as debouncing, task cancellation, and robust error handling.

Accessible modals

Aiming for universal user experience? Use react-modal to create accessible modal dialogs. With their built-in aria attributes and focus trapping functionality, your user will never feel lost.

Fixing potential pitfalls

Ahoy, seafarers! Let's look at potential pitfalls and solutions when charting these treacherous waters:

Async error handling

Successful spells often have tricky casting instructions. Make sure you are catching and dispatching error actions properly, so that the application reacts gracefully to any botched spells.

Simplifying with container components

While it may sound fancy, using mapDispatchToProps often leads to complication. Dispatching within container components simplifies components and helps testing.

Cautious state mariners

Ensure your app doesn't become the mariner's nightmare by going overboard with complex states. Sometimes, a simple boolean flag can control modal visibility.