How do I use WeakMap in React?

How do I use WeakMap in React?

WeakMap is a collection of key-value pairs where keys are objects and values can be any type. In React, it's useful for storing private data for components.

Can you give me an example of how to implement it?

Sure! You can create a WeakMap to store component instances and their associated data. For example:

const myMap = new WeakMap();

function MyComponent() {
    const instance = useRef();
    useEffect(() => {
        myMap.set(instance.current, { someData: 'value' });
    }, []);
    return <div ref={instance}>Hello World</div>;
}

What are the benefits of using WeakMap over regular Map?

WeakMap allows for garbage collection of keys when there are no other references to them, preventing memory leaks.

Are there any limitations I should be aware of?

Yes, keys in a WeakMap must be objects, and you cannot iterate over a WeakMap or get its size.