[brlewis]

Thanks, that seems like a good explanation.

I still think I'll need examples to be convinced of the usefulness, though. I don't see why a large component tree would have 14 disparate props passed down individually. If the tree is supposed to be a reusable component, why not define a single object to pass down?

Edit: Having read the docs I now see that my current perspective on it is the one they want me to have. "Don’t use context just to avoid passing props a few levels down. Stick to cases where the same data needs to accessed in many components at multiple levels." So it's better for me to avoid it until I see it's definitely needed.

[brianvaughn]

I'm curious why the theme example I mentioned in my earlier comment- (and showed in the docs)- doesn't qualify as "useful" to you. Another example would be using context to share the selected language/locale between all of the localized components in an application.

[brlewis]

In self-contained apps couldn't a single prop be passed down that's an object with all things like that in it? Maybe there's a scenario with 3rd-party components where context could make it look more elegant, but I don't have a clear picture.

I know there are several ways to construct a component, but I like that your examples make them functions of props, because that's how I picture a component. Having its behavior depend on a semi-hidden context appears less purely functional. To stretch the term a little, the component is no longer idempotent. Maybe there's a situation where that's what you want, but the examples you've given so far sound like ones where props would serve just fine.

[brianvaughn]

Yes, but then that prop would need to be passed down explicitly through every component. This would require a _lot_ of boilerplate.

[brlewis]

OK, it just boils down to me thinking one explicit prop for every component isn't too much boilerplate. I can see some teams liking the idea of shaving off that explicit prop as long as everybody knows about the implicit context(s) that also affect component behavior.

[brianvaughn]

> s everybody knows about the implicit context(s) that also affect component behavior.

Just in case there's any misunderstanding- (I don't think there is, but just being safe)- context isn't implicit. You have to opt into it either by using the `<Consumer>` component or a HOC that injects a context prop.

[BigJono]

In my experience, examples are only useful if they have two points of comparison side by side.

For example if I'm looking into a new library that claims to simplify my app's architecture or reduce boilerplate, I need to see what the alternative would look like for a given example, otherwise it's just a baseless claim.

Same as things that purportedly "scale". Since every library under the sun claims that as a benefit, I wouldn't even bother recommending any of them to anyone on here without an example of a large app both with and without the library, pointing out the specific sections of code that change for the better.