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JavaScript React Components (2018) React Component Patterns Refs and the DOM

Posted by efyhernandez
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efyhernandez
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 16,389 Points

what kind of forms requires internal state? or examples?

in the example it mentions that refs can be used on forms that don't require internal state. but how do you know if does or does not?

1 Answer

eotfofiw
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eotfofiw
Python Development Techdegree Student 824 Points
eotfofiw
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eotfofiw
Python Development Techdegree Student 824 Points

From 04:09 in the video, they explain the different times you would want to use one over the other.

I don't think there's anything that would require you to use one over the other. You can probably get to a working state with either approach, but there are certainly cases where one approach will make things simpler than another.

One example given in the video is validation of inputs - where React state and event handler would be simpler.

Another is that you don't want the element to render each time and so improve performance - in this instance you could use a ref.

I think the video does a good job of explaining each, but people are different. You may wish to venture off to a search engine and find articles about React ref, it's use case, and you may find examples that help it sink it.