React.Js Hooks: How to Use Them in MERN Stack Development in 2023?

React.Js does not need an introduction. The applications on Facebook, WhatsApp, Uber Eats, Airbnb, and Netflix say all about its popularity. It is a JavaScript library that builds user interfaces and plays a crucial role in MERN stack development.

The reasons React.Js is in demand are countless. But React.Js Hooks are the most exciting ones. What are these?

Introduced in React 16.8, React.Js Hooks are a feature that allows developers to manage state and perform side effects in functional components. And compared to class components, they are simpler and more lightweight. If you are curious to know more, read on. We will explore the basics of React Hooks and their uses in MERN stack development.

What are React.Js Hooks?

React.Js Hooks are a set of features allowing developers to add state and lifecycle features to functional components in React. The best thing is you do not have to use class components and the associated boilerplate code. Developers can use these Hooks as functions in functional components to add states, side effects, and other React features.

The purpose of Hooks is to make it easier to manage state and handle other tasks in React applications. They provide a more concise and intuitive way to deal with state and lifecycle logic in functional components. We will learn how a MERN stack developer in New Jersey leverages React.Js Hooks. First, let us look at some commonly used Hooks.

* UseState

The useState hook empowers functional components with local state management. With just a few lines of code, you can effortlessly add state to your components. When you call useState, it returns an array with two values: the current state value and a function that lets you update the state. Thanks to this dynamic duo of values, you can seamlessly manage and manipulate the state within your component, providing a streamlined way to handle dynamic data.

* UseEffect

The useEffect hook is a powerful tool that empowers functional components to handle side effects efficiently. Whether you need to fetch data from an API, update the DOM, or subscribe to events, this hook provides a clean and concise way to manage side effects. It’s akin to the lifecycle methods componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount in class components. But it offers a more streamlined and declarative syntax.

* UseContext

Thanks to this hook, you can access the context in functional components. It allows you to consume data from a parent component without passing it through props to intermediate child components.

* UseReducer

If you are searching for how to manage state using a reducer function, this hook is your answer. It works similarly to how you would handle the state in a Redux store. Often, developers use it as an alternative to useState when you have complex state logic or need to address multiple related state values.

* UseRef 

The hook allows you to create a mutable reference that persists across renders. It helps you access and modify DOM elements directly or store mutable values that do not trigger re-renders.

How to utilize React.Js Hooks in the MERN stack development?

Developers can make use of React.Js Hooks in a MERN stack development in a similar way as in any other React application. If you wish to employ these simple JavaScript functions in your project development, this is the right place. Here is a step-by-step guide on using React Hooks.

1. Set up a MERN stack project

The first step is to create a new MERN stack project using a package manager like npm or yarn. Set up the backend with Node.js, Express, and MongoDB for server-side development, and use React.Js for client-side development. Here is how to do this.

a. Install Node.Js and MongoDB

Ensure you have Node.js and MongoDB installed on your system. If you need help, you can download and install them from their official websites: Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download/ MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/try/download/community.

b. Create a new directory

Open your terminal and create a new directory for your MERN stack project. You can name it whatever you like. For example mkdir mern-stack-project

c. Set up the backend with Node.Js and Express.Js

Inside your project directory, initialize a new Node.Js application using npm or yarn. For example, with npm: npm init -y

It will help your MERN stack developer in New Jersey create a package.json file that will store the configuration and dependencies of your project. To install Express.Js, you need Node.Js as a dependency.

d. Set up the front end with React.Js

In your project directory, navigate to the client directory, and create a new React.Js application. For this, use Create React App or any other method you prefer. For example, with Create React App: npx create-react-app client

e. Connect frontend and backend 

Go to the client directory, open the src folder, and create a proxy key in the package.json file with the URL of your backend server. It will allow you to make API requests from the React front end to the Express backend without CORS issues.

f. Install additional dependencies

The next step is to install additional dependencies based on your project requirements. For example, you may need to install Mongoose for MongoDB integration or other libraries for handling authentication, routing, etc. Your developer can establish them using npm or yarn and add them as dependencies in your package.json file.

g. Start development servers

It is time to start the backend and frontend servers concurrently in the root of your project directory. You can use a tool simultaneously for this. Install it as a development dependency: npm install concurrently –save-dev

Congratulations! You have set up a MERN stack project with a backend using Node.Js, Express, and MongoDB. On the other hand, the front end is built with React.Js.

2. Create a functional component

It is time to create a functional component using the function syntax. To do so, you need to go to your React front. For example, you can create a file called MyComponent.js and define your functional component in that file.

3. Import React.Js Hooks

A reliable MERN stack development provider will use the “import file statement” to import the necessary React.Js Hooks at the top of your functional component file. For example, you might want to use useState and useEffect Hooks so you can import them like this:

import React, { useState, useEffect } from ‘react’;

4. Use Hooks in your functional component

You can now employ the imported Hooks inside your functional component to manage the state and handle side effects. For instance, you can use the useState Hook to declare and update state variables.

Similarly, you can also use other Hooks like useEffect, useContext, useReducer, and useRef to handle side effects, manage global states, and access mutable references.

5. Connect with backend APIs

You can also use React Hooks to make API calls to your backend server in a MERN stack application. For example, useEffect Hook helps developers fetch data from your backend API and update the state of your component accordingly.

6. Use Hooks in other parts of your MERN stack application

Besides this, a MERN stack developer can use React Hooks in other parts of your application. These include Redux reducers, custom hooks, or other components to manage state and handle side effects in a similar way.

It is your complete guide to utilizing React.Js Hooks for your project. But how do they benefit your MERN stack application? We will discuss them below.

What are the benefits of using React.Js Hooks in MERN stack development?

As we learned, React.Js Hooks provide a more concise and expressive way to manage state and handle side effects in functional components. Here are some reasons to use them in the MERN stack project:

* Improved Code Organization

Hooks allow developers to handle state and side effects directly in functional components. Thus, it eliminates the need for class components and separate lifecycle methods. Ultimately, it leads to more concise and organized code, making it easier to understand and maintain.

* Reusability

Hooks promote the reusability of logic. That means you can create Custom Hooks to encapsulate common state management or side effect logic and reuse them across multiple components. It reduces code duplication and increases maintainability.

* Enhanced Readability

With React.Js Hooks, you can ensure more declarative to handle state and side effects. As a result, it’s easier to understand the data flow and logic within a component. They also allow for better separation of concerns, making code more modular and readable.

* Simplified State Management

Hooks, such as useState and useReducer, provide a simpler and more intuitive way to manage component states. For instance, state management becomes more predictable and easier to reason about, leading to fewer bugs and easier debugging.

* Improved Performance

These Hooks optimize the performance of functional components by minimizing unnecessary re-renders. They allow fine-grained control over when an element should update. It boosts performance in complex applications.

* Seamless Testing

Another benefit of React.Js Hooks is hassle-free testing. Since they contain state and logic within the component, you can test components in isolation. It also allows you to write unit tests without setting up complex mocking for lifecycle methods.

* Smooth Migration

Hooks do not introduce breaking changes to existing codebases. No wonder many MERN stack developers in New Jersey adopt them in existing projects. Using these Hooks, you can smoothly migrate from class components to functional components.