When building a ReactJS application, it is recommended to use functional components over class components. Functional components are typically simpler and easier to understand than class components, and they also have better performance characteristics.
Functional components are just JavaScript functions that take in props and return JSX. They do not have access to lifecycle methods or a local state, which can make them more straightforward to understand and reason about.
function MyComponent(props) {
return <div>Hello {props.name}</div>;
}
On the other hand, class components are JavaScript classes that extend React.Component and have access to lifecycle methods and a local state. They can be more complex and harder to understand, especially for developers who are new to React.
class MyComponent extends React.Component {
render() {
return <div>Hello {this.props.name}</div>;
}
}
Functional components also have better performance characteristics than class components. Because functional components are just JavaScript functions, they are optimized by the JavaScript engine for faster execution. Class components, on the other hand, have additional overhead due to their use of the this
keyword and access to lifecycle methods.
In addition to their simplicity and performance benefits, functional components also have access to the latest features in React, such as hooks. Hooks are functions that allow functional components to use state and lifecycle methods, without the need to convert them to class components. Hooks make it possible to share logic between components, leading to a more organized and maintainable codebase.
import { useState } from 'react';
function MyComponent() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return <div>Count: {count}</div>
}
In conclusion, using functional components over class components is a best practice in ReactJS development. Functional components are simpler and easier to understand, have better performance characteristics, and have access to the latest features in React such as hooks. While class components still have their use cases, it’s recommended to use functional components whenever possible, as they can make your codebase more organized, maintainable, and performant.