Understanding Hooks in React

In modern React development, hooks were introduced to simplify code structure and enhance the capabilities of functional components. Previously, developers relied heavily on class components to handle internal state and side effects. With hooks, it’s now possible to manage these features directly within simple functions, making code more readable, maintainable, and intuitive. Understanding hooks is essential for building scalable, reactive interfaces that adapt seamlessly to user interactions and data changes.

What are hooks, exactly?

React hooks are special functions that let us use state and other React features without writing class components. The primary goal is to simplify how we manage data (state) and tasks like fetching data, updating the browser title, or running timers (effects) inside the UI components. By using hooks, our functional components can become more powerful while remaining concise and easy to read.