Class Components vs Functional Components in React

What are the main differences between class components and functional components in React?

Class components are ES6 classes that extend React.Component, while functional components are simpler functions. Class components can hold state and lifecycle methods, whereas functional components were stateless until the introduction of hooks.

Can you explain what hooks are and how they relate to functional components?

Hooks are functions that let you use state and other React features in functional components. The most common hooks are useState and useEffect, which allow you to manage state and side effects without needing a class.

When should I use class components instead of functional components?

You might choose class components if you're working with older codebases or need to use lifecycle methods that aren't easily replicated with hooks. However, functional components are generally preferred for new development due to their simplicity and performance.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

Functional components can be more performant due to their simpler nature and the ability to use React.memo for optimization. However, the performance difference is often negligible in most applications.