8 Common MISTAKES to Avoid in REACT ❌

Starting your journey with React can be exciting, but it’s also filled with challenges that can hind your progress. Here’s a guide to some common mistakes beginners often make. By being aware of these issues, you can write cleaner, more efficient code and build better applications.

1. Skipping the Fundamentals

Before diving into React, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of JavaScript fundamentals. Skipping over essential concepts can lead to confusion later on.

Example: Understanding Functions

// Correct way to define a function
function greet(name) {
    return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}

console.log(greet("World")); // Output: Hello, World!

2. Not Starting Component Names with Capital Letters

React treats components with lowercase names as HTML elements. Always start your component names with a capital letter.

Incorrect:

function myComponent() {
    return <div>Hello!</div>;
}

Correct:

function MyComponent() {
    return <div>Hello!</div>;
}

3. Neglecting State Management

Understanding how to manage state is crucial in React. Failing to grasp this can lead to unmanageable code.

Example: Using State Properly

import { useState } from 'react';

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

    return (
        <div>
            <p>Count: {count}</p>
            <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Increment</button>
        </div>
    );
}

4. Modifying State Directly

Never modify the state directly; always use the setState function or useState setter.

Incorrect:

const [age, setAge] = useState(30);
age = 31; // This won't work!

Correct:

setAge(31); // Use the setter function instead.

5. Forgetting the Key Prop in Lists