Avoid ReactJS mistakes with these tips and tricks in 2023

React has become the preferred choice of developers over the years for developing amazing apps. Whether you are an experienced or novice react developer, you might make mistakes that can cost the development process. Avoiding such mistakes can help in effective and seamless working apps.

If you have just started using React framework and landed on the right blog page, you must know what common mistakes generally happen. If you know it beforehand, it will be easier to avoid them. But, if you are an experienced developer, then also reading this blog will be beneficial to upskill your coding skills.

That is why companies like Facebook, Netflix, Airbnb, and many more prefer using reactjs web development services. To experience their level of perfection in your apps, you must hire reactjs developers.

Let’s jump straight into what to avoid when using React, without any unnecessary delay, and understand why reactjs web development companies are using these tips to improve overall app performance with their solution.

Never use the key while rendering the list

As beginners in React, we used to follow the approach explained in the documentation to render a list, for instance:

But, when you render, you will get a warning on the prompt mentioning “a key should be provided for the list items”.

So, how do we resolve this mistake? Let’s see.

Solution:

For that, you must follow the prompts and add the key attribute to each available item.

The key attribute in React assists in identifying which elements have been added or removed. Thus, it’s crucial to assign a unique value to each element in the array. Ideally, the key value should be unique. The index is used as the key value in the given example, but it’s not a recommended practice. This is because when the order of the list changes, the index is no longer unique, and using it as a last resort can impact performance.

Use assignment to modify the state value directly

In the case of React, you just cannot simply assign and modify the state. If you do, you will get into problems that are difficult to troubleshoot and fix. For instance,

In such a scenario, you will get a warning stating “do not mutate state directly”. Use setState()”

In this case, you can use the below solution.

Solution:

You can modify the class component using the setState() method and modify the function component using the useState().

Bind the state value to the value property of the input

If we bind the state value directly to the input tag’s value property, we’ll notice that the input box’s content won’t change regardless of what we type into it.

The reason for this behavior is that we set the state variable as the default value for the value attribute of the input tag. In functional components, state variables can only be updated using the set method returned by the useState hook. Therefore, the solution is straightforward: we need to use the set method to update the state value.

So what do we do in this scenario?

Solution:

You can bind an onChange event to the <input> and then modify it using the “setCount”.

Using the infinite loop with useState + useEffect

If we invoke the set*() method directly within the useEffect() hook without specifying the second parameter, we’ll encounter an infinite loop.

When you hit the code, you will see that the output keeps on increasing on the screen as the useEffect() method has been called infinitely, leading to an infinite loop state.

There is an easy way to resolve this or better to avoid it.

Solution:

If you do not use the useEffect() method carefully, you might end up in this scenario. This is because the useEffect() method has three lifecycle functions, which are- componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount in class components. This method useEffect(effect, deps) and takes 2 arguments.

• effect side effect function.
• deps array of dependencies.

By providing a dependency array to useEffect(), we specify when the side effect function should be executed. To prevent unnecessary re-renders and modify the behavior of the method, we can pass an empty array [] as the second parameter of useEffect().

Forgetting the common concept that setState() is asynchronous

Have you mistakenly forgotten that the state in React is asynchronous?

Don’t worry, even the most experienced React developers can forget. But why you must always remember this? Well, when the state is asynchronous, any modifications you make won’t take effect immediately. Instead, they may take effect on the next render.

It is because React automatically batches update calls for improving performance. So, if you try to access a state value right after setting it, you might get a vague result. That’s why it’s crucial to keep in mind the asynchronous nature of React state and to be mindful of how and when you access state values.

For example-

handlePetsUpdate = (petCount) => {

this.setState({ petCount });

this.props.callback(this.state.petCount); // Old value

};

Solution:

Do you ever find yourself frustrated that your React state changes don’t seem to take effect right away? Well, there’s a simple solution. You can add an optional second parameter to the setState() function, you can provide a callback function that will be executed immediately after the state update is made.

This callback functionality allows you to perform any necessary actions that depend on the updated state. For example, you might want to update the UI to reflect the new state or trigger some other function that relies on the updated state.

So, if you want to ensure that your state updates are being applied correctly and promptly, be sure to make use of the setState() callback function. It’s a powerful tool for writing more efficient and effective React code!

For example-

handlePetsUpdate = (petCount) => {

this.setState({ petCount }, () => {

this.props.callback(this.state.petCount); // Updated value

});

};

Are you using too much Redux?

Are you building a larger-scale React app and wondering if you should use Redux to manage your state? While Redux can be a powerful tool for managing global states, it’s not always necessary to use it in every aspect of your app.

If you have an app that doesn’t require parallel-level components to exchange information, then there is no need to add an extra library like Redux to your project. Instead, you can use a simpler approach like local state management or the useState hook. For example, if you’re working with a form component and need to check the state of a checkbox every time it’s accessed, using local state management or useState can be a more efficient and lightweight solution.

By taking a more targeted approach to state management and using the right tools for the job, you can keep your code lean and streamlined without sacrificing functionality or scalability. So, whether you’re using Redux or opting for a simpler state management approach, be sure to choose the method that best suits the needs of your specific app.

Not working according to the Reactjs folder structure

Have you ever created a project and then found yourself struggling to maintain or modify it down the line? One of the keys to avoiding this problem is to consider the future from the very beginning. This means paying careful attention to your folder structure and organization so that your project is set up for long-term success.

Think about it: the projects you create today aren’t just for current development needs. They may also need to be maintained, updated, or adapted in the future. By investing time and effort into creating a clear and well-organized folder structure, you can make it much easier to make changes and improvements down the line.

So, whether you’re working on a small personal project or a larger-scale application, take the time to think about the future implications of your design choices. By keeping your folder structure in mind and planning for future possibilities, you can set yourself up for success and ensure that your projects are ready to meet whatever challenges lie ahead.

Solution:

There’s a simple solution to this problem: creating a well-organized file structure and following consistent naming conventions.

When working on a project, it’s helpful to separate your code into different categories, such as containers, assets, and components. This not only makes it easier to locate specific files but also helps with overall readability and organization.

In addition, using consistent naming conventions can make a big difference in how easy it is to understand and navigate your code. By using clear and descriptive names for your files and components, you can quickly identify the purpose of any given piece of code and avoid confusion or mistakes.

Hire a Reactjs development company for eliminating the risk of mistakes

Well, working on any project without making mistakes is just a myth. You will always come across some challenges and make mistakes, but with time, you will master your skills and find new ways to reduce as many mistakes as you can.

To help you out, we have listed some commonly done mistakes for your reference, but that’s not all. If you want an amazing reactjs app for your business, you can also connect with a reactjs web development company or hire a reactjs development company.

One of the leading breeding companies is OnGraph offering the leading reactjs web development services which will help you with the development of all types of apps with great results.