React is a popular JavaScript library used for building user interfaces. When working with React, you have the option to use either ES6 class-based components or functional ES6 components. In this blog post, we will explore when to use each type of component and provide code snippets to demonstrate their usage.

ES6 Class-based React Components

ES6 class-based components are the traditional way of creating components in React. They are defined as JavaScript classes that extend the React.Component class. Class-based components have access to React’s lifecycle methods, such as componentDidMount and componentDidUpdate, which can be useful for handling side effects and managing state.

Here’s an example of a simple class-based component:

class ClassComponent extends React.Component {
  render() {
    return (
      

        
Hello, Class Component!
      
    );
  }
}

ES6 class-based components are a good choice when you need to manage state or use lifecycle methods. They provide a clear structure and allow for easy organization of code.

Functional ES6 React Components

Functional components, also known as stateless functional components, are a newer addition to React. They are defined as JavaScript functions that return JSX. Functional components do not have access to lifecycle methods or state management out of the box, but they can still receive props and render UI elements.

Here’s an example of a simple functional component:

const FunctionalComponent = () => {
  return (
    

      
Hello, Functional Component!
    
  );
};

Functional components are a good choice when you have simple UI elements that don’t require state management or lifecycle methods. They are more lightweight and can be easier to read and understand.

When to Use Each Type of Component

Now that we have seen examples of both class-based and functional components, let’s discuss when to use each type:

• Use ES6 class-based components when you need to manage state or use lifecycle methods.
• Use functional components when you have simple UI elements that don’t require state management or lifecycle methods.

It’s worth noting that with the introduction of React Hooks in React 16.8, functional components can now also handle state and lifecycle methods. Hooks provide a way to use state and other React features in functional components, making them a more versatile choice.

Here’s an example of a functional component using React Hooks:

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

const FunctionalComponentWithHooks = () => {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  useEffect(() => {
    document.title = `Count: ${count}`;
  }, [count]);

  return (
    

      
Count: {count}
       setCount(count + 1)}>Increment
    
  );
};

In this example, we use the useState hook to manage state and the useEffect hook to update the document title when the count changes. Hooks provide a more concise and functional approach to working with state and lifecycle methods.

In conclusion, both ES6 class-based components and functional ES6 components have their use cases in React. Choose class-based components when you need state management or lifecycle methods, and choose functional components for simple UI elements. With the introduction of React Hooks, functional components can now handle state and lifecycle methods as well, providing a more versatile option.