5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing with React JS

The powerful JS library proves itself as a great and robust web app. Like every technology, there, too, are some pitfalls with React. If you have selected it as your web app development tech stack, these are some common and vital issues you might face while developing an app.    

So, now, you must think of why to choose React if there are issues. Of course, there are some mistakes, but you can easily eliminate them, and it does not affect your web app functionality and security. Before we get into the mistakes, let’s understand why you should use Reactjs for your web app.

Why choose React for your web app development?

React is the most desirable and wanted advancement of the frontend world. Reactjs development services have expanded their wings with great advances like Nextjs, Angular, Node, Gatsby, and more. 

React has proved to be the best-growing library. As of July 2024, with 40.58%, it has been the most used web framework among experts on a global scale. 

The business and experts choose Reactjs for the following three reasons:-

• Speed of development: React allows users to use the same components on the client and server side. And so a developer can easily create & integrate them without affecting the app’s logic. Also, such component reusability saves a lot of time and effort for a developer.
• Flexible coding: React gives code flexibility that helps to maintain it easily and, thus, is a cost-effective tech stack for web development.
• Robust performance: With the help of Virtual DOM and server-side rendering, a developer can leverage the benefits of complex apps and run fast with React. 

These are the three main reasons. And other benefits of React's so-called strength are its strong community support that helps to update and resolve development issues immediately. Thus, accelerates the SDLC. 

Reactjs also provides varied tools with proper documentation. So, one can use it extensively with other programming languages and frameworks. All the React tools have great potential and minimalistic error handling that helps develop robust and scalable apps. 

Now, let’s look into a developer's challenges while developing a web app.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Reacjs App

1. Not building enough components

React developers often forget to create enough components. The tech stack allows one to create large components and execute tasks quickly. But, one should prefer to make small components to get each function correctly.

Eventually, it will save time and eliminate the debugging process, as no errors will be found in small components.

Also, an expert has to ensure the smooth passing of props to the child components without actually doing it. You have to thoroughly review props before using them in the child component. Do not pass the props you are not likely to use and thus accelerate the app development.

Here is an example of building components in the form of a TodoList:-

2. Direct state modification

The state has to be immutable. If you modify the state directly, then there are chances that you will hamper the overall performance, which is hard to fix. 

Let’s look into a problem:-

The checked key of an object in an array has to be updated dependent on the status of a checkbox, but there is a problem. React cannot monitor and initiate re-rendering because the object is being modified with the same reference.

The useState() hook or the setState() method can correct it. Such approaches guarantee that React recognizes your modifications and that your DOM is accurately re-rendered.

Let's update the first illustration to make use of the useState() method.

3. Missing out the key on a listing component

Let’s say you need to display a list of items and your code looks like this:-

Now, such a method will only work for small apps. A large list will create more problems if modified or deleted an item from the list. React easily tracks all the elements on the DOM & will have no idea what needs to be changed. Thus, maintaining a record is very much necessary. 

And for that, you need to add keys to all the listed elements. So, every element will get its unique identity, and according to it, you can update, remove, modify, etc.

4. Accessive use of Redux

Many developers use Redux to manage the global state in larger React apps. Redux is helpful, but you don't have to use it to control every state in your applications.

You don't need to add a second library to your project if your program has no components that need to share data at the parallel level. If you're using a form component and want to verify the status of a check button each time it's accessed, it's advised to utilize a local state method or useState rather than Redux.

Expert advice: Hire a Reactjs development company with experience in JS and related advances like React. Examine them before appointing or investing in app development on a large scale. Before signing in to any online development business, you must know your needs and match their expertise.

5. Use of God component

God- The ‘anti-pattern’ in React does not allow the reusability of components. So a user is not advised to build all UI elements on an entire page. Take time and create an outline to interconnect parts of the app and components. Thus, you can easily maintain, manage, and restructure such components in React.

Conclusion

Now that you have learnt these skills apply them to your React developments. It will surely help you with faster SDLC and bug-free online performance. Also, there is more to be discovered in the universe of Javascript for web apps, so be prepared to look into some ground-breaking revolutions. Learn well, as JS has much to offer for years to come. Invade the online world with your excellent technical skill set.