Essential React Hooks Every Dev Should Know

React Hooks revolutionized how we write components. Let's explore the most important ones!

useState - Managing State

The most basic and essential hook:

const [count, setCount] = useState(0)

Use useState when you need values that change and should re-render the component.

For asynchronous operations, APIs, timers:

useEffect(() => {
  fetchData()
}, [dependency])

Tip: Always declare dependencies correctly!

Avoid prop drilling with context:

const theme = useContext(ThemeContext)

Perfect for themes, authentication, global settings.

For expensive calculations:

const expensiveValue = useMemo(() => {
  return complexCalculation(data)
}, [data])

Use sparingly - don't optimize prematurely!

Prevents function recreation:

const handleClick = useCallback(() => {
  doSomething(id)
}, [id])

Useful when passing callbacks to optimized child components.

For values that don't cause re-renders:

const inputRef = useRef(null)

Great for directly manipulating DOM or storing mutable values.

Mastering these hooks is fundamental for any modern React developer. Practice and experiment with different combinations to find the best solutions!