7 React Best Practices that are Necessary to Implement

As we know that ReactJS is amongst the top frontend development framework that is preferred by developers. In current time apps with interactive frontend works well in the market. To develop interactive ReactJS apps there are primary React best practices that should be implemented. 

In this article, we will discuss seven react best practices to be followed while developing Reactjs projects. These techniques help developers to perform React code easily and skillfully. One can develop interactive features and avoid inaccuracies if proper practices are implemented. Let’s discuss these practices in detail.

React Best Practices that we will discuss here

Here, we will discuss about seven react best practices that React developers should implement for getting the best out of their ReactJS app:

• Keep components function-specific and small
• Initializing State With Correct Data Structure
• Write a Specific Name for a Component
• Avoid using Indexes as a Key Props
• Use proper communication methods between components
• Use snippet libraries
• Write Testable Code and Always Get It Covered

Keep components function-specific and small

Yes, keeping components small and specific to a single function is a best practice in React.js development. Here are some additional tips for creating small and focused components in a React.js application:

• Use the single responsibility principle: Each component should have a single, well-defined responsibility.
• Avoid having large, monolithic components: Large components can be difficult to understand and maintain. Try to break them up into smaller, more focused components.
• Use higher-order components to reuse code: Higher-order components (HOCs) are functions that take a component as an argument and return a new component. HOCs can be used to encapsulate common logic and behaviour, making it easy to reuse code across multiple components.
• Keep the component hierarchy shallow: A deep component hierarchy can be difficult to understand and maintain. Try to keep the hierarchy as shallow as possible by breaking up large components into smaller ones.

Initializing State With Correct Data Structure

Initializing state with the correct data structure is important in order to ensure that your application is working with the right data. There are a few things to consider when initialising state:

• Determine the structure of your data: The data structure you choose will depend on the type of data you are working with and how you need to use it in your application. Common data structures in JavaScript include arrays, objects, and maps.
• Decide where to store the data: In React, state is typically stored in the top-level component and passed down to child components as props. You should consider where in the component hierarchy the data will be used and store it in a stateful component at that level.
• Initialize state with the correct data type: Make sure to initialise state with the correct data type for the values you will be storing. For example, if you are storing a list of items, initialise the state with an empty array.
• Consider using default values: If you have default values for certain pieces of state, consider setting these default values in the component’s constructor or using default props. This can help to ensure that your application has the correct data from the start.

Write a Specific Name for a Component

There are naming structures that have to be followed for easy ReactJS development. There should be specific namings for each component. There are two terms in namings: User & VipUser. You can choose any one from these two. If you choose a user, it is comfortable for use anywhere and for any user. It is convenient to use but it can be confusing in the long run.

While using VipUser, it limits the context of using. It’s controllable and only VipUsers can use it. You can prefer VipUser as it can help you know what exactly the component is used for based on its name. 

Avoid using Indexes as a Key Props

Using indexes as keys in React can be problematic because they are not guaranteed to be unique. If the order of items in a list changes, the keys will no longer match the items, which can cause React to re-render the entire list.

Here are a few tips for avoiding the use of indexes as keys:

• Use unique IDs: If your items have unique IDs, you can use these IDs as keys. This will ensure that the keys are always unique and stable, even if the order of items changes.
• Use a stable identifier: If your items don’t have unique IDs, you can use another stable identifier such as a slug or a URL as the key. This will ensure that the keys are unique and stable, even if the order of items changes.
• Use the item itself as the key: In some cases, you may be able to use the item itself as the key. For example, if your items are objects with unique properties, you can use the object itself as the key.

Use specific communication methods in between components

There are several ways to communicate between components in a React application. Here are a few common methods:

• Props: Components can pass data down to their children through props. This is a one-way communication method, where the parent component passes data down to the child, but the child cannot modify the data.
• Context: React context allows components to access data that is global to the entire app, without the need to pass props down through multiple levels of the component hierarchy.
• State management libraries: Libraries like Redux and MobX allow components to store and modify global state, and provide methods for components to subscribe to and update the state.

Use snippet libraries

There are several benefits to using snippet libraries:

• Save time: By using code snippets that you’ve already written and tested, you can save time and effort during development.
• Improve consistency: Using snippet libraries can help to ensure that your code is consistent across different projects or modules.
• Avoid errors: By using tested and trusted code snippets, you can reduce the risk of introducing errors into your codebase.

There are many tools and plugins available that can help you create and manage snippet libraries. Some popular options include SnippetsLab for macOS and Code Snippets for Visual Studio Code.

Write Testable Code

Here are a few tips for writing testable React.js code:

• Use modular design: Break your React components up into small, independent modules that are easy to test.
• Avoid using global state: Global state such as context or Redux can make your components more difficult to test, as the state can be modified from anywhere in the application. Instead, try to pass data down through props to make your components more isolated and easier to test.
• Follow good design principles: Good design principles such as SOLID and DRY can help to make your code more testable. By following these principles, you can create code that is easier to understand and maintain.
• Use a testing framework: There are many testing frameworks available for React, such as Jest and Enzyme, that can help you write and run tests for your components.

Final Words

In conclusion, following best practices in React development can help to improve the quality and maintainability of your code. Some key react best practices are included in this article. By following these guidelines, you can create a scalable and maintainable React application that is easy to understand and debug. 

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