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Getting Started with React Hooks

· One min read
Rajiv I'm
Engineer @ UseDocu

React Hooks revolutionized how we write components by enabling state and lifecycle features in functional components. Let's explore the most common hooks and their practical applications.

Understanding useState​

The useState hook is your gateway to state management in functional components. It provides a simple way to declare state variables and their update functions.

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

Common Use Cases​

  • Form input management
  • Toggle states
  • Counter implementations

useEffect in Practice​

The useEffect hook handles side effects in your components, making it perfect for:

  • Data fetching
  • Subscriptions
  • DOM manipulations
useEffect(() => {
document.title = `Count: ${count}`;
}, [count]);

Custom Hooks​

Learn how to create reusable logic with custom hooks:

  • Extract common stateful logic
  • Share behavior between components
  • Keep your code DRY

Example Custom Hook​

function useWindowSize() {
const [size, setSize] = useState({
width: window.innerWidth,
height: window.innerHeight,
});

useEffect(() => {
const handleResize = () => {
setSize({
width: window.innerWidth,
height: window.innerHeight,
});
};

window.addEventListener("resize", handleResize);
return () => window.removeEventListener("resize", handleResize);
}, []);

return size;
}