Most beginners ignore this hook… until they actually need it. useRef in React is like a hidden pocket in your component. It lets you store values that don’t trigger re-renders and gives you direct access to DOM elements. For example: You can focus an input instantly without updating state or re-rendering the component. Think of it like this: useState → updates UI useRef → stores values quietly in the background That’s why it’s perfect for things like: • Managing focus • Tracking previous values • Working with DOM directly Simple concept, but once you understand it your React code becomes cleaner and more efficient. #React #JavaScript #WebDevelopment #Frontend #Coding #100DaysOfCode #Developers #Programming #ReactJS
Marko Zivkovic
1mo
Ty for sharing.
I think a lot of people only start valuing useRef when they run into unnecessary re-renders caused by useState. Understanding when not to use state is just as important, and useRef plays a big role there especially for avoiding stale closures and keeping stable references between renders.