React pitfalls: Avoiding DOM manipulation and bloated code

React can be a game-changer. It's all about building software that's easy to maintain and a breeze to work with. But let's be real - sometimes React code can start to look like it's been hijacked by jQuery. Not good. It's a problem. When you're dealing with big chunks of code that are trying to do too much, like fetching data, updating the UI, and managing events all at once, that's a red flag. And don't even get me started on using `useEffect` for everything under the sun - it's like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Then there's the issue of directly manipulating the DOM, which is just a recipe for disaster. And have you ever found yourself not splitting components by responsibility, or using CSS class names to store UI state? Yeah, those are major no-nos. So, what's the solution? Well, for starters, split those components into smaller, more manageable ones - it's like breaking down a big project into smaller tasks, you know? Use custom hooks for logic, and avoid direct DOM manipulation like the plague. Keep your UI state in React state or a store, and use `useEffect` for focused tasks, not as a catch-all. It's time to take a step back. React gives you the freedom to build amazing things, but with that freedom comes a ton of responsibility - it's like having a superpower, you've got to use it wisely. Source: https://lnkd.in/gA254jbm #React #JavaScript #SoftwareDevelopment #CodeQuality #WebDevelopment

Hello everyone, I’d like to explain two JavaScript concepts—currying and closures—using the dynamic onChange handler in the code snippet below. Here’s a breakdown of how and why it works: 💡 The Concept: Instead of a standard function, we create a function that returns another function. 🧠 What is happening under the hood? 1. Currying (The Setup): We don't pass all arguments (field and e) at once. First, we call handleInputChange('email'). Result: This returns a new function that is sitting there, waiting specifically for the event e. 2. Closure (The Memory): Even after that first function finishes running, the returned function "remembers" the field variable ('email') because of closure. The Payoff: When React finally triggers the onChange event, our inner function executes with access to both the specific field name (saved from the closure) and the event (provided by React). One handler. Infinite inputs. Cleaner code. 🚀 Check out the implementation below. Have you used this pattern in your projects, or do you prefer a different approach? #JavaScript #ReactJS #WebDevelopment #CodingTips #CleanCode

So you wanna build a responsive carousel in React - it's a game changer. Simple, really: you just need a few basics to get started. Node.js version 14.0 or higher, check. A package manager like npm, yarn, or pnpm, got it. A React project, preferably version 17 or higher, and some basic knowledge of React components - you know, the usual suspects. Oh, and familiarity with JavaScript or TypeScript doesn't hurt either. Now, let's talk installation - it's a breeze. Just use your preferred package manager to install React Responsive Carousel: npm install react-responsive-carousel, yarn add react-responsive-carousel, or pnpm add react-responsive-carousel. Easy peasy. After that, import the CSS file in your main entry file, and you're good to go. Creating a simple image carousel is a walk in the park - just import the Carousel component and use it in your JSX file. It's fast. React Responsive Carousel has some amazing features, like automatic responsiveness, navigation arrows, indicators, touch support, and legend support - all the bells and whistles. But here's the thing: you can customize your carousel to fit your needs. Use props like showArrows, showIndicators, and autoPlay to make it your own. It's like building with Legos - the possibilities are endless. For more info, check out the official repository: https://lnkd.in/gV2JfYru Source: https://lnkd.in/ge4Zrn6M #React #ResponsiveCarousel #JavaScript

So React's speed is all about the Virtual DOM. It's like a lightweight clone of your UI, but in JavaScript - and that's what makes it fast. Very simple concept, really: it minimizes expensive updates. But let's dive deeper - the Virtual DOM is basically a representation of your UI, and React uses it to compare the old and new versions, figure out what's changed, and then update the real DOM in one go, which is way more efficient. Here's how it all goes down: React renders your component, creates a new Virtual DOM tree, and then compares it to the previous one using this smart diffing algorithm - it's like a game of spot the difference, but for code. And then, React applies the changes to the real DOM, all at once, in a single batch - which is why it's so fast. Now, when it comes to lists, the key prop is crucial. It's all about efficiency. Use unique IDs, not array indexes - that way, React can keep track of which items have changed, even if they get reordered or removed. To take your React apps to the next level, try using React.memo - it prevents unnecessary re-renders of child components, which can be a huge performance boost. And don't forget about useMemo - it helps stabilize object references, so you don't end up with a bunch of unnecessary updates. Check out this article for more info: https://lnkd.in/gFmibcv2 #React #VirtualDOM #JavaScript

It's all about the timing. JavaScript is single-threaded, but it can still juggle multiple tasks at once - thanks to the Event Loop and Concurrency Model. This is key. The Event Loop acts like a conductor, coordinating between the Call Stack, Web APIs, and Task Queues to keep everything in sync. It's pretty simple: the Call Stack is where JavaScript keeps track of what's happening with function execution - a LIFO data structure, for those who care. But here's the thing: when you call functions like setTimeout, they aren't actually part of the JavaScript engine - they're Web APIs provided by the browser, which is a whole different story. So, how does it all work? Well, the Call Stack executes synchronous code, no problem. Then, when the Call Stack is empty, the Event Loop checks the Microtask Queue - which holds tasks like Promise callbacks, by the way. The Event Loop processes all these microtasks before moving on to the next macrotask, which is a different beast altogether. And that's where the Macrotask Queue comes in - holding tasks like setTimeout callbacks, for instance. It's worth noting: microtasks always run before the next macrotask. That's it. And, surprisingly, setTimeout(fn, 0) doesn't run immediately - it waits for the Call Stack and Microtask Queue to clear, which makes sense if you think about it. Also, React state updates are batched to optimize re-renders, which is a nice touch. So, always use functional updates in async callbacks to avoid stale closures - trust me on that one. Check out this article for more info: https://lnkd.in/gTYD4seC #JavaScript #EventLoop #ConcurrencyModel #WebDevelopment #Programming

🤯 Do you want a pro React tip? I started naming my useEffect functions, and its beautiful 👇 React code is full of hooks noise like useState, useEffect, useRef, and useMemo everywhere. It's hard to quickly scan a file and understand what's actually happening because the lifecycle stuff dominates everything. I started using named functions instead of arrow functions for my effects, and it made a massive difference. Here's why: 1️⃣ Cuts through the noise — When you have multiple useEffects in a component, descriptive names like synchronizeMapZoomLevel or fetchUserData let you scan the file and immediately understand the flow without reading implementation details. 2️⃣ Stack traces — If something breaks, the function name shows up in the error stack. Way easier to debug than an anonymous function at line 47. 3️⃣ Forces single responsibility — When you try to name an effect and struggle? That's usually because it's trying to do too many things. It naturally pushes you to split things up or remove them altogether (You might not need an effect) Some people prefer to extract everything into custom hooks immediately, which is great too. But this works really well for simpler cases where a full hook feels like overkill. Have you tried this? Or do you go straight to custom hooks for everything? #React #JavaScript #WebDev #CleanCode

🚀 Day 65 Mastering Event Handling in React Today I explored event handling in React and how it differs from plain JavaScript. This is a crucial concept for building interactive and responsive UIs. 🔹 React Events vs Plain JavaScript • JavaScript: Select elements → add event listeners manually • React: Attach events directly in JSX (onClick, onChange, onSubmit, onMouseOver, etc.) • React makes event handling cleaner, declarative, and easier to manage. 🔹 Handling Common Events in React 🖱️ Button Click (onClick) • Always pass a function reference, not an immediate call ✅ onClick={handleClick} ❌ onClick={handleClick()} • Immediate calls run during render — a common beginner mistake. •🐭 Mouse Events (onMouseOver) • Trigger actions when hovering over elements • Useful for tooltips, hints, or interactions •  Input Change (onChange) • Captures real-time input changes Access value using: event.target.value • Makes inputs controlled components 📩 Form Submission (onSubmit) • Forms reload the page by default Prevent this using: event.preventDefault() • Allows custom logic without refresh 🔹 Event Bubbling & Propagation React follows DOM event bubbling Use: event.stopPropagation() to prevent events from reaching parent elements Helpful in nested components. 🧪 Practical Example: Color Switcher App • Parent tracks total clicks • Child button changes background color • stopPropagation() prevents parent click firing • State updates UI dynamically • A great real-world example from React’s official docs 👌 📌 Best Practices I Learned • Always pass function references • Use preventDefault() for forms • Use stopPropagation() for nested events • Access input data via event.target.value • Regularly read official React documentation 🧠 Key Takeaway React event handling is simpler, safer, and more predictable than traditional JavaScript — once you understand function references and event flow. On to more hands-on React patterns 🚀 #ReactJS #JavaScript #FrontendDevelopment #LearningInPublic #WebDevelopment #Day65

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟙𝟝 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 Most beginners think React directly works with the browser DOM. But React itself never touches the DOM. React is built around two main parts: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 (𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆) – creates a description of the UI 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿 (𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗗𝗢𝗠, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗣𝗗𝗙, 𝗲𝘁𝗰.) – turns that description into real output In simple words: When we write a component in JSX, React converts it into a plain JavaScript object using React.createElement(). This object is called a 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. It is just a blueprint of the UI, not the real DOM. Then the renderer takes this blueprint and connects it to the actual platform: ReactDOM renders it to the browser DOM React Native renders it to mobile UI ReactPDF renders it to PDF So the flow looks like this: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁(jsx) → 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁(js obj) → 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿(html) → 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗜 This separation is why React can work across different platforms with the same core logic. React decides what the UI should look like. The renderer decides how it appears on each platform. Understanding this builds a much stronger foundation in React. #ReactJS #WebDevelopment #Frontend #JavaScript #LearningInPublic #LinkedInLearning #Programming

So, you're working with lists in React and you keep seeing this warning about missing key props - it's frustrating. Keys are essential. They help React figure out what's changed, what's been added, or removed - it's like a name tag for each item. When you're rendering components conditionally, React checks the key prop to decide whether to re-render or re-mount the component - it's a big deal. If the key is different, React will unmount the old component and mount a new one, which can be a good thing, but also a bad thing, depending on the situation. For instance, imagine you have two input components with the same type, but different keys - when you switch between them, React will unmount the old input and mount a new one, because the keys are different, and that can cause some issues if you're not careful. In arrays, keys are crucial - they help React keep track of which items have changed, and if you don't use them, React may render the components in the wrong order, which can be a real problem. So, what's the solution? Use a unique and stable key for each item - it's not that hard. This will help React re-render the components correctly, and you won't have to deal with those annoying warnings anymore. And, just to clarify, the key prop doesn't prevent re-rendering, and it's not a performance optimization - it's more like a way to define the component's identity during reconciliation, so React knows whether a component should be reused or recreated. Check out this article for more info: https://lnkd.in/gwp-PtaB #React #JavaScript #WebDevelopment

jQuery 4.0 just dropped. In 2026. And I have thoughts. While everyone's debating which JavaScript framework will be dead next month, jQuery quietly celebrated its 20th anniversary by shipping a major release. Let that sink in. A library from 2006 is still: → Downloaded 5+ million times per week → Running on 77% of all websites → Getting performance improvements with a Rust-based minifier Meanwhile, I've seen teams rewrite their frontend 4 times in 5 years chasing the latest framework hype. I haven't touched jQuery in over a decade. But man, the memories. Back in the day, it was the thing that made JavaScript actually usable. Cross-browser compatibility? jQuery handled it. DOM manipulation without losing your mind? jQuery. That sweet, sweet $(document).ready(). Here's my unpopular take: The best technology isn't the newest. It's the one that still works in 20 years. jQuery isn't "cool." It doesn't have a conference circuit. Nobody's building a startup around it. But it solves real problems for real developers—and it keeps doing that without breaking everything every 6 months. I think there's a lesson here for our industry. We're so obsessed with new that we forgot about durable. jQuery 4.0. Still shipping. Still relevant. Happy 20th birthday, old friend. 🎂 https://lnkd.in/dpvNZqwY #JavaScript #WebDevelopment #OpenSource #jQuery