Are you gearing up for a React.js interview and want to ensure you're fully prepared? React.js has become one of the most sought-after skills in the world of web development, and mastering it can open doors to exciting career opportunities. To help you excel in your React.js interview, we've compiled a comprehensive list of 21 frequently asked questions along with detailed answers. Let's dive in!
1. What is React.js, and what are its key features?
Answer: React.js is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building user interfaces. Its key features include a component-based architecture, virtual DOM rendering, declarative syntax, and JSX (JavaScript XML) for defining UI components.
2. What are the differences between functional components and class components in React?
Answer: Functional components are JavaScript functions that accept props and return React elements, whereas class components are ES6 classes that extend the `React.Component` class and have a render method along with lifecycle methods.
3. Explain the concept of state in React and how it differs from props.
Answer: State represents the data that a component owns and can change over time, managed internally within the component. Props are inputs to a component passed from its parent and are immutable.
4. What are React Hooks, and how do they improve functional components?
Answer: React Hooks are functions that allow functional components to use state and other React features without class components. They improve functional components by enabling state management and lifecycle methods.
5. Describe the purpose of React Router and how it is used in React applications.
Answer: React Router is a routing library for React applications that enables client-side navigation and URL routing. It allows developers to define routes and map them to specific components for single-page applications.
6. How does React handle forms, and what are controlled and uncontrolled components?
Answer: React uses controlled components for handling forms, where form data is controlled by React components using state. Uncontrolled components rely on the DOM to store and manage form data.
7. Explain the concept of reconciliation in React and its significance for performance.
Answer: Reconciliation is the process by which React compares the current virtual DOM with its previous state to determine the minimal set of DOM mutations needed for updates. It ensures efficient rendering and high performance.
8. What are props drilling and how can it be avoided?
Answer: Props drilling occurs when props are passed through multiple levels of components, leading to unnecessary complexity. It can be avoided by using React context or component composition techniques like higher-order components (HOCs) or render props.
9. What are React Fragments, and why are they used?
Answer: React Fragments allow grouping multiple React elements without adding extra nodes to the DOM. They improve code readability and maintainability by avoiding unnecessary wrapper elements.
10. What are Pure Components in React, and how do they differ from regular components?
Answer: Pure Components are class components that automatically perform a shallow comparison of props and state to determine whether to re-render. They optimize performance by reducing unnecessary renders compared to regular components.
11. What is Redux, and how does it differ from React's built-in state management?
Answer: Redux is a predictable state container for JavaScript applications, often used with React for managing global application state. It differs from React's built-in state management by centralizing state management in a single store with actions and reducers.
12. What are React lifecycle methods, and how do they work?
Answer: React lifecycle methods are special methods that are invoked at specific points in a component's life cycle. They include methods like `componentDidMount`, `componentDidUpdate`, and `componentWillUnmount`, allowing developers to perform actions at different stages of a component's life cycle.
13. How can you optimize performance in React applications?
Answer: Performance optimization in React applications can be achieved by using techniques such as code splitting, lazy loading, memoization, virtualization, and minimizing re-renders using shouldComponentUpdate or React.memo.
14. What are Higher-Order Components (HOCs), and how are they used in React?
Answer: Higher-Order Components (HOCs) are functions that take a component as input and return a new enhanced component. They are used for code reuse, cross-cutting concerns, and adding additional functionality to components.
15. Explain the concept of Hooks in React.
Answer: Hooks are functions that enable functional components to use state and other React features previously available only in class components. They include useState, useEffect, useContext, and more.
16. What is server-side rendering (SSR) in React, and why is it important?
Answer: Server-side rendering (SSR) is the process of rendering React components on the server and sending the generated HTML to the client. It improves performance, SEO, and perceived load times by delivering pre-rendered content to users.
17. How does React context work, and when should it be used?
Answer: React context provides a way to pass data through the component tree without having to pass props down manually at every level. It should be used for passing data that is global or shared by multiple components.
18. What are the key differences between React and Angular?
Answer: React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, whereas Angular is a full-fledged framework for building single-page applications. React follows a component-based architecture, while Angular follows an MVC architecture. React uses a virtual DOM, while Angular uses a real DOM.
19. Explain the concept of lazy loading in React.
Answer: Lazy loading is a technique used to defer the loading of components until they are needed. It improves performance by reducing the initial bundle size and only loading components when they are requested by the user.
20. How can you handle errors in React applications?
Answer: Errors in React applications can be handled using error boundaries, which are special components that catch JavaScript errors anywhere in their child component tree and display a fallback UI.
21. What are some best practices for writing clean and maintainable React code?
Answer: Some best practices for writing clean and maintainable React code include keeping components small and focused, following naming conventions, using meaningful variable names, separating concerns, and documenting code with comments or documentation tools.
Conclusion
Mastering React.js requires not only understanding its core concepts but also being able to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. By familiarizing yourself with these commonly asked interview questions and their answers, you'll be better equipped to showcase your React skills and ace your interview. Remember to practice coding exercises, build projects, and stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in React development. Good luck!