Table of contents
STATE
In React, the term "state" refers to an object that represents the current condition or data of a component.
The state allows a React component to keep track of changing information, and when the state of a component changes, React automatically re-renders the component to reflect those changes in the user interface.
Here are key points about React state:
Mutable and Private:
State is mutable, meaning you can modify it directly using the
setState
method provided by React.It is private to the component and cannot be accessed or modified from outside the component.
Dynamic Data:
State is used to manage dynamic data in a component.
It allows components to update and display changing information over time.
User Interface Updates:
- When the state of a component changes, React efficiently updates the user interface to reflect those changes.
Local to Component:
Each component has its own state, which is local and isolated to that component.
State should not be directly modified; instead, React provides methods like
setState
to update the state.
Initialization:
- You initialize the state in the constructor of a class component or using the
useState
hook in a functional component.
- You initialize the state in the constructor of a class component or using the
Example in a class component:
class ExampleComponent extends React.Component {
constructor(props) {
super(props);
this.state = {
// initial state properties
};
}
}
Example using the useState
hook in a functional component:
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function ExampleComponent() {
const [state, setState] = useState({
// initial state properties
});
}
Updating State:
- You should not modify the state directly; instead, use the
setState
method. This is because React uses thesetState
function to schedule updates and ensure proper handling of state changes.
- You should not modify the state directly; instead, use the
Example:
this.setState({ count: this.state.count + 1 });
Asynchronous Updates:
setState
can be asynchronous, and React may batch multiplesetState
calls for performance reasons. Therefore, when using the current state to calculate the next state, it's recommended to use the functional form ofsetState
.
Example:
this.setState((prevState) => ({
count: prevState.count + 1
}));
Functional Components:
- With the introduction of Hooks in React, functional components can also use state through the
useState
hook.
- With the introduction of Hooks in React, functional components can also use state through the
Example:
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function ExampleComponent() {
const [state, setState] = useState({
// initial state properties
});
}
State is a fundamental concept in React, and it allows components to manage and respond to changes in their data, leading to dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
Summary: State dynamically determines and updates the content displayed on the UI, such as the current date
STATE VS PROPS
HOOKS
A React hook is a special function that allows you to "hook into" React state and lifecycle features from functional components.
Hooks were introduced in React 16.8 to enable functional components to have state and side-effects, which were previously only available in class components.
React comes with several built-in hooks,
If using hooks can't render on server because they leverage client side functionality
React hooks are conventionally named with a "use" prefix, such as
useState
oruseEffect
. This naming convention is essential for proper usage and recognition within functional components.Hooks have specific rules regarding their usage. They must be called at the top level of a functional component, not within nested functions, loops, or regular JavaScript functions. Custom hooks, which follow the same rules, can be created to encapsulate and reuse component logic.
React hooks offer several benefits that make them a valuable addition to the React library:
Simplified Component Logic: Hooks enable you to write complex component logic in a more organized and linear manner. This makes it easier to understand and maintain your code compared to class components.
Reusability: Hooks allow you to encapsulate and share logic between components. Custom hooks can be created to abstract away complex state management or side-effects, promoting code reuse across different parts of your application.
Better Component Composition: With hooks, you can split your logic into smaller, composable functions. This improves the overall component composition and makes it easier to reason about each piece of functionality.
Reduction of Boilerplate: Hooks eliminate the need for classes and related lifecycle methods (e.g.,
componentDidMount
,componentDidUpdate
,componentWillUnmount
). This reduces boilerplate code, making your components more concise.Easier to Learn: For developers new to React, hooks provide a more consistent way of handling component logic across all components (functional or class). This consistency can make React easier to learn and understand.
Improved Code Organization: Hooks encourage the separation of concerns by allowing you to group related logic together in custom hooks. This improves the organization and maintainability of your codebase.
Functional Components: With hooks, functional components can now handle state and side effects, making them a more powerful and preferred choice for building components. This aligns with modern JavaScript practices.
No More 'this': You don't need to deal with the
this
keyword in functional components. In class components, managingthis
can be error-prone and lead to bugs, but hooks eliminate this concern.Clearer Component Lifecycle:
useEffect
allows you to manage side effects in a more granular way, which can lead to a clearer understanding of component lifecycles and when certain actions occur.Improved Performance: Hooks like
useMemo
anduseCallback
can be used for performance optimization, preventing unnecessary re-renders and expensive calculations.Better Error Handling: React hooks come with improved error messages and warnings, which can help you debug issues more effectively.
Seamless Integration: Hooks can be integrated seamlessly into existing React applications, allowing you to gradually adopt them as needed without major code changes.
Compatibility with Concurrent Mode: React hooks are designed to work well with React's Concurrent Mode, which is a feature for building highly responsive and concurrent applications.
Access to low-level features and functionalities of React outside the context of a component: This means that hooks allow developers to tap into the inner workings of React, interacting with features like state, context, and lifecycle methods in a more granular and controlled manner, even outside the traditional class component structure.
In summary, React hooks offer a more flexible and organized way to manage state and side effects in your components, leading to cleaner, more maintainable code and a better development experience overall. They have become an integral part of modern React development.