useState vs. useRef : Similarities, differences, and use cases

The article delves into the React Hooks useState and useRef, explaining their basic usage and distinct applications within React functional components. It highlights how useState allows for the creation of component state, enabling UI updates through state changes, while useRef serves as a persistent data container without triggering re-renders, useful for direct DOM manipulation or storing previous state values. The text provides various code examples illustrating how useState triggers component re-renders upon state updates, contrasting with useRef's ability to retain data across renders without initiating new render cycles. The discussion also covers the pitfalls of misuse, such as infinite loops with useEffect, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the lifecycle of Hooks in React development. Additionally, it contrasts the use of these Hooks with class-based component state management, underscoring the shift towards atomic state variables in functional components for better maintainability and performance.