React Functional Components vs Class Components

In React, there are two primary ways to create components: functional components and class components. Let's explore the differences between them and understand when to use one over the other:

Functional Components

Functional components are simpler to write and easier to read compared to class components. They are basically JavaScript functions that take props as arguments and return React elements. Functional components are considered a modern and preferred approach in React development.

Class Components

Class components are traditional React components defined using ES6 classes. They have additional features such as lifecycle methods and state management. Class components were the standard way of creating components in React before the introduction of functional components.

When to Use Each

• Use Functional Components when you have simpler UI logic, need to improve component performance, or want to follow the latest React best practices.
• Use Class Components when you need to work with component lifecycle methods, manage state within the component, or if you are working on a legacy project that already uses class components extensively.

Ultimately, the choice between using functional components and class components in React depends on the specific requirements of your project and your development preferences.