Introduction
MediatR is a popular library in the .NET ecosystem that implements the Mediator pattern, which helps in decoupling components and centralizing communication in complex applications. Here's a guide to understanding MediatR, its use cases, and whether it might be overkill for your project.
What is MediatR?
MediatR is a simple, unambitious mediator implementation in .NET. It helps in reducing dependencies between components by providing a central point for communication. This can be particularly useful in implementing patterns like CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation).
Is Using MediatR an Overkill?
The necessity of MediatR depends on the complexity and requirements of your project. Here are some perspectives from the community:
- Performance Concerns: Some developers argue that MediatR adds unnecessary complexity and can be overkill for simple applications. "Yes. Using MediatR is overkill most of the time."
- Project Size: MediatR can be beneficial in medium to large applications where you want to keep handling of API requests self-contained. "Where I find mediatr useful is in medium to large apps..."
- Boilerplate Code: Some developers find that MediatR introduces a lot of boilerplate code, which can be a downside. "The first reason is a lot of useless boilerplate."
- Cross-Cutting Concerns: MediatR is praised for its ability to handle cross-cutting concerns like logging, validation, and authorization through pipeline behaviors. "The pipeline behaviors are golden."
How .NET Developers Use MediatR
- Decoupling Components: MediatR helps in decoupling the UI from the business logic, making the codebase more maintainable. "MediatR helps solve the CQRS problem letting you store incredibly loosely coupled modules of features."
- Handling Commands and Queries: It is often used in CQRS implementations to handle commands and queries separately. "I use it for in-process event dispatching."
- Pipeline Behaviors: Developers use MediatR's pipeline behaviors to handle cross-cutting concerns like logging and validation. "You can setup logic that is executed before or after any specific handler."
- Simplifying Controllers: MediatR can help in reducing the size of controllers by moving the business logic to handlers. "Controllers are a dumb idea and they force a bunch of unrelated code together simply because they share a route."
Conclusion
MediatR can be a powerful tool for decoupling and managing complexity in .NET applications, but it may not be necessary for simpler projects. Evaluate your project's needs and consider whether the benefits of MediatR outweigh the added complexity.