Can you explain the difference between React functional components and class components?

In React, there are primarily two types of components: functional components and class components. Let's delve into the differences between the two:

Functional Components:

• Functional components are just plain JavaScript functions that return JSX (React elements).
• They are simpler and cleaner in terms of syntax and structure.
• They do not have their own internal state, and therefore are also known as stateless components.
• With the introduction of React Hooks, functional components can now use state and other features that were previously only available in class components.

Class Components:

• Class components are ES6 classes that extend from React.Component which leverage the component lifecycle methods.
• They have their own internal state which can be modified through this.setState().
• Class components were the initial way of creating components in React but have been largely replaced by functional components with the introduction of Hooks.
• They are still used in existing codebases or when complex state management or lifecycle methods are required.

While both functional and class components can achieve the same outcome, the choice between the two often comes down to personal preference, project requirements, and the specific use case.