What are the benefits of using hooks in React?

TL;DR

Hooks in React allow you to use state and other React features without writing a class. They make it easier to reuse stateful logic between components, improve code readability, and simplify the codebase by reducing the need for lifecycle methods. Hooks like useState and useEffect are commonly used to manage state and side effects in functional components.

Benefits of using hooks in React

Simplified state management

Hooks like useState allow you to add state to functional components without converting them to class components. This makes the code more concise and easier to read.

const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

Improved code readability

Hooks help in breaking down complex components into smaller, reusable pieces of logic. This makes the code more modular and easier to understand.

Reusable logic

Custom hooks allow you to extract and reuse stateful logic across multiple components. This promotes code reuse and reduces duplication.

function useCustomHook() {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState);
  // Custom logic here
  return [state, setState];
}

Reduced need for lifecycle methods

Hooks like useEffect can replace lifecycle methods such as componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount. This simplifies the component lifecycle management.

useEffect(() => {
  // Side effect logic here
  return () => {
    // Cleanup logic here
  };
}, [dependencies]);

Better separation of concerns

Hooks allow you to separate concerns by grouping related logic together. This makes the codebase more maintainable and easier to debug.

Enhanced testing

Functional components with hooks are generally easier to test compared to class components. Hooks can be tested in isolation, making unit tests more straightforward.

Further reading

• React Hooks documentation
• Using the State Hook
• Using the Effect Hook
• Building Your Own Hooks