js-tosorted-immutable

title: Use toSorted() Instead of sort() for Immutability
impact: MEDIUM-HIGH
impactDescription: prevents mutation bugs in React state
tags: javascript, arrays, immutability, react, state, mutation

Use toSorted() Instead of sort() for Immutability

`.sort()` mutates the array in place, which can cause bugs with React state and props. Use `.toSorted()` to create a new sorted array without mutation.

**Incorrect (mutates original array):**

function UserList({ users }: { users: User[] }) {
  // Mutates the users prop array!
  const sorted = useMemo(
    () => users.sort((a, b) => a.name.localeCompare(b.name)),
    [users]
  )
  return <div>{sorted.map(renderUser)}</div>
}

**Correct (creates new array):**

function UserList({ users }: { users: User[] }) {
  // Creates new sorted array, original unchanged
  const sorted = useMemo(
    () => users.toSorted((a, b) => a.name.localeCompare(b.name)),
    [users]
  )
  return <div>{sorted.map(renderUser)}</div>
}

**Why this matters in React:**

1. Props/state mutations break React's immutability model - React expects props and state to be treated as read-only 2. Causes stale closure bugs - Mutating arrays inside closures (callbacks, effects) can lead to unexpected behavior

**Browser support (fallback for older browsers):**

`.toSorted()` is available in all modern browsers (Chrome 110+, Safari 16+, Firefox 115+, Node.js 20+). For older environments, use spread operator:

// Fallback for older browsers
const sorted = [...items].sort((a, b) => a.value - b.value)

**Other immutable array methods:**

• `.toSorted()` - immutable sort
• `.toReversed()` - immutable reverse
• `.toSpliced()` - immutable splice
• `.with()` - immutable element replacement