Hooks were introduced in React 16.8 to solve several issues with class components and to make state management and side effects easier in functional components. Here are the main reasons:
1. Simplifying Component Logic
- Before Hooks, stateful logic was only possible in class components, making React code more complex and harder to reuse.
- Hooks allow state and side effects in functional components, making them more powerful and concise.
2. Reusing Stateful Logic
- In class components, logic reuse was done via Higher-Order Components (HOCs) and Render Props, which often led to "wrapper hell" (deeply nested components).
- Hooks provide a better way to share logic across components through custom Hooks.
3. Avoiding Complex Class Components
- Classes come with complexities like
this binding, lifecycle methods, and boilerplate code.
- Hooks eliminate the need for class components in most cases, making React code more readable and maintainable.
4. Better Handling of Side Effects
- Class components use lifecycle methods (
componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, componentWillUnmount), which often result in duplicated or scattered logic.
- Hooks like
useEffect allow handling side effects in a more organized way.
5. Improved Performance and Optimization
- Hooks like
useMemo and useCallback help optimize performance by reducing unnecessary re-renders.
- Functional components with Hooks are generally lighter than class components.
6. Future-Proofing React
- Hooks enable new features and improvements in React without breaking existing code.
- They align well with concurrent rendering and React’s future optimizations.
