React JS Tutorial #6: the useState Hook

In this tutorial, we will be exploring the useState hook in React. The useState hook is a built-in hook that allows functional components to have state. Before the introduction of hooks, only class components could have state. With the useState hook, functional components can now have state which makes them more powerful and versatile.

What is the useState hook?

The useState hook is a function that allows us to add state to functional components. It takes an initial value as an argument and returns an array with two elements: the current state value and a function that allows us to update the state. We can use array destructuring to access these values.

How to use useState

Using the useState hook is quite simple. All we need to do is call the useState function and pass in the initial state value as an argument. We can then use array destructuring to get the current state and the function to update the state.

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

In the example above, we are using the useState hook to create a state variable called count with an initial value of 0. We then use array destructuring to extract the count value and the setCount function from the returned array.

Updating state with the useState hook

Once we have a state variable, we can update it using the function returned by the useState hook. For example, we can create a button that increments the count state variable by 1:

    
      <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Increment</button>
    
  

Conclusion

The useState hook is a powerful and useful feature in React that allows us to add state to functional components. It is a simple and intuitive way to manage state and update it within functional components. With the useState hook, functional components can now have the same capabilities as class components, making them even more versatile and efficient.