Contents of React Interview Questions

Comprehensive collection of React interview questions and answers covering hooks, components, state management, and best practices.

What are Props in React and Why are They Important?

In React, "props" (short for properties) are a way to pass data from one component to another — typically from a parent component to a child component. Props allow components to be dynamic and reusable by giving them the flexibility to render different outputs based on the data they receive.

How Props Work:

  • Props are passed to components similarly to how attributes are added to HTML tags.
  • They are read-only, meaning a component cannot modify its own props. This ensures that data flow in React remains unidirectional (from parent to child).
  • Props help in customizing components without altering their core logic.

Example:

function Welcome(props) { return <h1>Hello, {props.name}!</h1>; } // Usage <Welcome name="John" /> <Welcome name="Jane" />

In the example above, the Welcome component can greet different users based on the name prop it receives.

Why Are Props Important?

  • Reusability: Instead of writing multiple components for slightly different use cases, you can create one flexible component that adjusts based on props.
  • Component Communication: Props enable communication between components, allowing for modular and maintainable code.
  • Unidirectional Data Flow: Props support React's design principle of one-way data binding, making it easier to track how data moves through an application.
  • Customization: Components can adapt their behavior and appearance based on different props without needing to change their internal code.

Key Points to Remember:

  • Props are immutable inside the child component.
  • They are passed as an object.
  • You can pass any JavaScript value as a prop: strings, numbers, arrays, objects, functions, and even other components.