What are the best practices for using refs in React?

What are the best practices for using refs in React?

Using refs in React is great for accessing DOM elements directly. Here are some best practices: 1. Use refs sparingly. 2. Prefer using state for data that affects rendering. 3. Use callback refs for better performance. 4. Clean up refs in componentWillUnmount.

Can you explain why it's important to use refs sparingly?

Using refs sparingly is important because overusing them can lead to code that is harder to maintain and understand. It can also make your components less predictable, as refs bypass the React state management.

What are callback refs and how do they differ from string refs?

Callback refs are functions that React calls with the DOM element when it mounts or unmounts. They provide more flexibility and are preferred over string refs, which are considered legacy and can lead to issues with component updates.

How do I clean up refs in componentWillUnmount?

To clean up refs in componentWillUnmount, you can set the ref to null or remove any event listeners associated with it. This helps prevent memory leaks and ensures that your component behaves correctly when unmounted.