When should I use useState vs useRef in React?

Can you explain when to use useState and when to use useRef in React?

Sure! useState is used for managing state in functional components, while useRef is used for accessing DOM elements or storing mutable values.

So, if I want to keep track of a value that doesn't trigger a re-render, I should use useRef?

Exactly! useRef is perfect for storing values that you want to persist without causing a re-render.

And what about useState? When should I use that?

You should use useState when you need to track state that affects the rendering of your component, like form inputs or toggles.

Got it! Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! For useState, you might have a counter that updates the UI. For useRef, you could store a reference to an input field to focus it programmatically.