What are React hooks, and how do they work?

What are React hooks, and how do they work?

Blog Article

React Hooks are functions introduced in React 16.8 that allow developers to use state and lifecycle features in functional components without needing class components. The most commonly used hooks include useState, which enables state management by returning a state variable and a function to update it, and useEffect, which handles side effects like API calls, event listeners, or DOM updates. Hooks follow strict rules, such as only being called at the top level of a function component and not inside loops or conditionals. Other hooks like useContext provide access to React’s context API for global state management, while useRef allows access to DOM elements without causing re-renders. Custom hooks can also be created to encapsulate reusable logic. Hooks simplify component logic, improve code readability, and enable better reuse of stateful logic across components, making React development more efficient and scalable.