ReactJS Interview Questions Your Guide to Success

ReactJS is a leading library for building dynamic and responsive user interfaces, making it an essential skill for frontend and full-stack developers. Stark.ai offers curated ReactJS interview questions, hands-on challenges, and expert insights to help you stand out in your next interview.

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    • What is React?

      React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, particularly single-page applications. It allows...

    • What are components in React?

      Components are the building blocks of a React application. They are reusable, independent pieces of UI that can be...

    • What is JSX?

      JSX (JavaScript XML) is a syntax extension for JavaScript used in React. It allows you to write HTML elements in...

    • What is the virtual DOM in React?

      The virtual DOM is a lightweight copy of the real DOM that React uses to track changes. React updates the virtual...

    • What is JSX and how does it differ from regular HTML?

      JSX is a syntax extension for JavaScript that allows writing HTML-like code in React. Unlike HTML, JSX uses...

    • What is the difference between functional and class components in React?

      Functional components are JavaScript functions that accept props and return JSX, making them simpler and more...

    • How do you pass data between components using props?

      Props are passed as attributes in JSX, similar to HTML attributes. Parent components can pass any JavaScript value...

    • How do you conditionally render content in JSX?

      JSX supports conditional rendering through: 1) Ternary operators {condition ? elementA : elementB}, 2) Logical &&...

    • How do you handle dynamic attribute values in JSX?

      Dynamic attributes in JSX use curly braces to embed JavaScript expressions: className={`base ${conditional}`},...

    • How do you handle lists and keys in React?

      Lists are rendered using array methods like map(). Each list item must have a unique 'key' prop for React's...

    • What are the differences between default and named exports for components?

      Default exports (export default Component) allow importing with any name but limit one per file. Named exports...

    • How do you handle inline styles in JSX?

      Inline styles in JSX use double curly braces and camelCase properties: style={{backgroundColor: 'blue'}}. Values can...

    • How do you handle conditional CSS classes in JSX?

      Conditional CSS classes can be handled using template literals, array join methods, or className utilities like...

    • What is the useState hook and how is it used in React components?

      useState is a React hook that adds state to functional components. It returns an array with the current state value...

    • How do you handle state updates with objects and arrays?

      Always treat state as immutable. Use spread operator or Object.assign() for objects: setState({...state, newProp:...

    • What is the difference between local and global state management?

      Local state (useState, useReducer) is component-specific and used for UI state. Global state (Context, Redux) is...

    • What are the three main phases of a React component's lifecycle?

      The three main phases are: Mounting (component is created and inserted into DOM), Updating (component re-renders due...

    • How does useEffect hook relate to component lifecycle methods?

      useEffect combines the functionality of componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount. The effect...

    • What is the purpose of the componentDidMount lifecycle method and its Hook equivalent?

      componentDidMount executes after the component mounts to the DOM. It's used for initial setup like API calls,...

    • What is the significance of the componentWillUnmount method and its Hook equivalent?

      componentWillUnmount handles cleanup before component removal. In hooks, return a cleanup function from useEffect to...

    • What is the role of the constructor in class components and its Hook alternative?

      Constructor initializes state and binds methods in class components. In functional components, useState and...

    • What are the Rules of Hooks and why are they important?

      The Rules of Hooks are: 1) Only call hooks at the top level (not inside loops, conditions, or nested functions), 2)...

    • How do you create a custom hook and what are the naming conventions?

      Custom hooks are functions that use other hooks and must start with 'use' (e.g., useCustomHook). They allow you to...

    • What are props in React and how do they facilitate data flow?

      Props (properties) are read-only data passed from parent to child components. They enable unidirectional data flow,...

    • How do you handle default props in functional and class components?

      In functional components, use default parameters: function Component({prop = defaultValue}). In class components,...

    • What is the children prop and how is it used for composition?

      children is a special prop that contains the content between component tags. It enables component composition:...

    • What are the best practices for organizing and naming props?

      Use descriptive names, follow consistent conventions, group related props, document prop types and requirements....

    • How do you implement prop-based conditional rendering?

      Use props in conditional statements, ternary operators, or logical && operator. Handle loading/error states....

    • What are synthetic events in React and how do they differ from native DOM events?

      Synthetic events are React's cross-browser wrapper around native DOM events. They provide consistent behavior across...

    • How do you properly bind event handlers in React components?

      Methods include: arrow functions in render, class fields with arrow functions, binding in constructor, or using...

    • How do you handle form events in React?

      Form events (onChange, onSubmit) are handled using controlled components where form data is controlled by React...

    • What is a controlled component in React and how does it differ from an uncontrolled component?

      A controlled component is one where form data is controlled by React state. Every state change goes through...

    • How do you implement a basic controlled form input in React?

      Use state to store input value and onChange handler to update it: const [value, setValue] = useState(''); return...

    • What is React Router and why is it used?

      React Router is a standard routing library for React that enables navigation between views in a React application....

    • What is the difference between BrowserRouter and HashRouter?

      BrowserRouter uses HTML5 history API and creates clean URLs (/about), while HashRouter uses URL hash (/#/about)....

    • What is the purpose of the Switch component?

      Switch renders the first Route or Redirect that matches the current location exclusively. It prevents multiple...

    • How do you handle route parameters?

      Use Route path with parameter syntax (:param), access parameters via useParams hook or match.params. Example: <Route...

    • How do you handle 404 pages?

      Create a catch-all route at the end of Switch using path='*' or no path prop. Render a 404 component for unmatched...

    • What is the purpose of the exact prop?

      exact ensures the path matches exactly the current URL. Without exact, '/users' would match '/users/new'. Use for...

    • What is the NavLink component?

      NavLink is a special version of Link that can be styled when it matches the current URL. Useful for navigation menus...

    • What are relative links in React Router?

      Relative links are paths relative to the current route. Use them for nested navigation and maintaining route...

    • What is React.memo() and when should it be used?

      React.memo() is a higher-order component that memoizes component renders based on prop changes. Use it to prevent...

    • How do you prevent unnecessary re-renders in React?

      Use React.memo for functional components, PureComponent for class components, implement shouldComponentUpdate...

    • What is the role of key prop in performance?

      Keys help React identify which items have changed, been added, or removed in lists. Proper key usage optimizes...

    • What is the importance of proper key usage in lists?

      Keys enable efficient list updates by helping React identify changed items. Use stable, unique identifiers as keys,...

    • What is the Context API in React and what problem does it solve?

      Context API provides a way to pass data through the component tree without having to pass props manually at every...

    • What are the core components of Context API?

      The core components are: React.createContext() to create a context, Context.Provider to wrap components that need...

    • How do you create and provide a context?

      Create context using React.createContext(defaultValue) and provide it using the Provider component:...

    • What is the default value in createContext and when is it used?

      Default value is used when a component consumes context but isn't wrapped in a provider. It's useful for testing,...

    • What is the relationship between Context and Props?

      Context complements props by providing a way to share values without explicit passing. Use context for truly global...

    • What are the best practices for context naming and organization?

      Use clear naming conventions, organize contexts by feature/domain, implement proper file structure. Consider...

    • What are Error Boundaries in React and why are they used?

      Error Boundaries are React components that catch JavaScript errors in their child component tree and display...

    • How do you handle errors in event handlers?

      Use try-catch blocks in event handlers, implement proper error handling and state updates, provide user feedback....

    • What are the best practices for error message design?

      Provide clear, actionable error messages, implement proper i18n, consider user experience, maintain consistency....

    • What are the main testing libraries used in React applications?

      Main testing libraries include Jest (test runner and assertion library), React Testing Library (component testing),...

    • What is React Testing Library and what problem does it solve?

      React Testing Library is a testing utility that encourages testing components as users would use them. It focuses on...

    • What is the difference between shallow and mount rendering?

      Shallow rendering tests component in isolation without rendering child components, while mount rendering fully...

    • What are the best practices for test organization?

      Group related tests, maintain clear test structure, use proper naming conventions. Consider test maintainability and...

    • What are the different approaches to styling in React applications?

      Main approaches include: CSS Modules, Styled Components, CSS-in-JS libraries, traditional CSS/SASS, Tailwind CSS,...

    • What are CSS Modules and what problems do they solve?

      CSS Modules are CSS files where all class names are scoped locally by default. They solve naming conflicts, provide...

    • What are Styled Components and how do they work?

      Styled Components is a CSS-in-JS library that allows writing actual CSS in JavaScript. Components are created with...

    • How do you handle conditional styling in React?

      Use template literals, classnames library, CSS modules composition, or styled-components props. Handle dynamic...

    • What are the key principles of component composition in React?

      Key principles include: single responsibility, reusability, proper prop drilling avoidance, composition over...

    • What are the recommended patterns for prop handling?

      Use prop types or TypeScript, implement proper prop validation, avoid excessive props, use proper prop naming, and...

    • What are the recommended patterns for component documentation?

      Implement proper JSDoc comments, maintain clear prop documentation, document component usage, provide examples, and...

    • What are the different ways to fetch data in React?

      Common methods include fetch API, Axios, React Query, SWR, GraphQL clients. Each has different features for handling...

    • How do you handle API calls with useEffect?

      Use useEffect for API calls, handle cleanup with cancel tokens, manage loading and error states, implement proper...

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, particularly single-page applications. It allows developers to create reusable UI components and manage the application's state efficiently.

What are components in React?

Components are the building blocks of a React application. They are reusable, independent pieces of UI that can be written as functions or classes, and they accept props as input to produce rendered HTML.

What is JSX?

JSX (JavaScript XML) is a syntax extension for JavaScript used in React. It allows you to write HTML elements in JavaScript and place them in the DOM without using `createElement()` or `appendChild()`.

What is the virtual DOM in React?

The virtual DOM is a lightweight copy of the real DOM that React uses to track changes. React updates the virtual DOM first and then efficiently updates the real DOM, minimizing direct manipulation and improving performance.

What is JSX and how does it differ from regular HTML?

JSX is a syntax extension for JavaScript that allows writing HTML-like code in React. Unlike HTML, JSX uses camelCase properties, requires closing all tags, uses className instead of class, and can directly embed JavaScript expressions using curly braces {}.

What is the difference between functional and class components in React?

Functional components are JavaScript functions that accept props and return JSX, making them simpler and more concise. Class components extend React.Component, can have local state and lifecycle methods, but are generally more verbose. Modern React primarily uses functional components with hooks.

How do you pass data between components using props?

Props are passed as attributes in JSX, similar to HTML attributes. Parent components can pass any JavaScript value (strings, numbers, objects, functions) to child components. Child components receive these props as function parameters or this.props in class components.

How do you conditionally render content in JSX?

JSX supports conditional rendering through: 1) Ternary operators {condition ? elementA : elementB}, 2) Logical && operator for simple conditions {condition && element}, 3) If statements outside the return statement, 4) Extracting conditions to separate methods.

How do you handle dynamic attribute values in JSX?

Dynamic attributes in JSX use curly braces to embed JavaScript expressions: className={`base ${conditional}`}, style={{property: value}}, or data-attributes={dynamicValue}. Boolean attributes can be set using conditional expressions.

How do you handle lists and keys in React?

Lists are rendered using array methods like map(). Each list item must have a unique 'key' prop for React's reconciliation process. Keys should be stable, predictable, and unique among siblings. Using array indices as keys is generally discouraged except for static lists.

What are the differences between default and named exports for components?

Default exports (export default Component) allow importing with any name but limit one per file. Named exports (export const Component) require exact names or aliases when importing but allow multiple exports per file. Choice affects module organization and refactoring.

How do you handle inline styles in JSX?

Inline styles in JSX use double curly braces and camelCase properties: style={{backgroundColor: 'blue'}}. Values can be strings or numbers (pixels automatically added). Dynamic styles can use expressions or computed properties.

How do you handle conditional CSS classes in JSX?

Conditional CSS classes can be handled using template literals, array join methods, or className utilities like classnames library. Example: className={`base ${condition ? 'active' : ''}`} or using object syntax with classnames.

What is the useState hook and how is it used in React components?

useState is a React hook that adds state to functional components. It returns an array with the current state value and a setter function: const [state, setState] = useState(initialValue). The setter function triggers re-renders when called to update state.

How do you handle state updates with objects and arrays?

Always treat state as immutable. Use spread operator or Object.assign() for objects: setState({...state, newProp: value}). For arrays, use methods like map, filter, or spread: setState([...items, newItem]). Never mutate state directly.

What is the difference between local and global state management?

Local state (useState, useReducer) is component-specific and used for UI state. Global state (Context, Redux) is application-wide and used for shared data. Choose based on state scope and component coupling needs.

What are the three main phases of a React component's lifecycle?

The three main phases are: Mounting (component is created and inserted into DOM), Updating (component re-renders due to prop or state changes), and Unmounting (component is removed from DOM). Each phase has associated lifecycle methods or hooks.

How does useEffect hook relate to component lifecycle methods?

useEffect combines the functionality of componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount. The effect runs after render, and its cleanup function (if returned) runs before unmount and before re-running the effect.

What is the purpose of the componentDidMount lifecycle method and its Hook equivalent?

componentDidMount executes after the component mounts to the DOM. It's used for initial setup like API calls, subscriptions, or DOM manipulations. In hooks, this is achieved using useEffect with an empty dependency array: useEffect(() => {}, []).

What is the significance of the componentWillUnmount method and its Hook equivalent?

componentWillUnmount handles cleanup before component removal. In hooks, return a cleanup function from useEffect to achieve the same. Use it to remove event listeners, cancel subscriptions, and clear timers to prevent memory leaks.

What is the role of the constructor in class components and its Hook alternative?

Constructor initializes state and binds methods in class components. In functional components, useState and useCallback replace these roles. Initial state can be set directly with useState, and function definitions handle method binding.

What are the Rules of Hooks and why are they important?

The Rules of Hooks are: 1) Only call hooks at the top level (not inside loops, conditions, or nested functions), 2) Only call hooks from React function components or custom hooks. These rules ensure hooks maintain their state and order between renders.

How do you create a custom hook and what are the naming conventions?

Custom hooks are functions that use other hooks and must start with 'use' (e.g., useCustomHook). They allow you to extract component logic into reusable functions. Custom hooks can return any values and should follow the Rules of Hooks.

What are props in React and how do they facilitate data flow?

Props (properties) are read-only data passed from parent to child components. They enable unidirectional data flow, making the application's data flow predictable and easier to debug. Props can include any JavaScript value including functions.

How do you handle default props in functional and class components?

In functional components, use default parameters: function Component({prop = defaultValue}). In class components, use static defaultProps property. Default props ensure components work even when optional props aren't provided.

What is the children prop and how is it used for composition?

children is a special prop that contains the content between component tags. It enables component composition: <Container>{content}</Container>. Can be manipulated using React.Children utilities and supports any valid JSX.

What are the best practices for organizing and naming props?

Use descriptive names, follow consistent conventions, group related props, document prop types and requirements. Consider prop grouping for complex components. Use spread operator judiciously.

How do you implement prop-based conditional rendering?

Use props in conditional statements, ternary operators, or logical && operator. Handle loading/error states. Consider extract complex conditions to separate functions. Use proper TypeScript types.

What are synthetic events in React and how do they differ from native DOM events?

Synthetic events are React's cross-browser wrapper around native DOM events. They provide consistent behavior across browsers, follow the W3C spec, and use a pooling mechanism for performance. Access native events via event.nativeEvent property.

How do you properly bind event handlers in React components?

Methods include: arrow functions in render, class fields with arrow functions, binding in constructor, or using function components with hooks. Each approach has performance and readability trade-offs. Example: onClick={() => this.handleClick()} or onClick={this.handleClick.bind(this)}.

How do you handle form events in React?

Form events (onChange, onSubmit) are handled using controlled components where form data is controlled by React state. Prevent default form submission with e.preventDefault(). Handle validation and submission logic in event handlers.

What is a controlled component in React and how does it differ from an uncontrolled component?

A controlled component is one where form data is controlled by React state. Every state change goes through setState, making React the single source of truth. Uncontrolled components store form data in the DOM itself using refs. Controlled components provide more control but require more code.

How do you implement a basic controlled form input in React?

Use state to store input value and onChange handler to update it: const [value, setValue] = useState(''); return <input value={value} onChange={e => setValue(e.target.value)} />. The component controls the input's value at all times.

What is React Router and why is it used?

React Router is a standard routing library for React that enables navigation between views in a React application. It provides components for handling routing declaratively, enabling the creation of single-page applications with multiple views and clean URLs.

What is the difference between BrowserRouter and HashRouter?

BrowserRouter uses HTML5 history API and creates clean URLs (/about), while HashRouter uses URL hash (/#/about). BrowserRouter requires server configuration for direct URL access, while HashRouter works without it but has less clean URLs.

What is the purpose of the Switch component?

Switch renders the first Route or Redirect that matches the current location exclusively. It prevents multiple routes from rendering simultaneously and provides exclusive routing.

How do you handle route parameters?

Use Route path with parameter syntax (:param), access parameters via useParams hook or match.params. Example: <Route path='/user/:id' /> and const { id } = useParams();

How do you handle 404 pages?

Create a catch-all route at the end of Switch using path='*' or no path prop. Render a 404 component for unmatched routes. Consider user experience and navigation options.

What is the purpose of the exact prop?

exact ensures the path matches exactly the current URL. Without exact, '/users' would match '/users/new'. Use for precise route matching and preventing partial matches.

What is the NavLink component?

NavLink is a special version of Link that can be styled when it matches the current URL. Useful for navigation menus and indicating active routes.

What are relative links in React Router?

Relative links are paths relative to the current route. Use them for nested navigation and maintaining route hierarchy. Handle proper path resolution.

What is React.memo() and when should it be used?

React.memo() is a higher-order component that memoizes component renders based on prop changes. Use it to prevent unnecessary re-renders of functional components when props haven't changed. Best for computationally expensive components.

How do you prevent unnecessary re-renders in React?

Use React.memo for functional components, PureComponent for class components, implement shouldComponentUpdate correctly, and properly structure component hierarchy to minimize prop changes.

What is the role of key prop in performance?

Keys help React identify which items have changed, been added, or removed in lists. Proper key usage optimizes reconciliation process and prevents unnecessary DOM operations. Use stable, unique identifiers.

What is the importance of proper key usage in lists?

Keys enable efficient list updates by helping React identify changed items. Use stable, unique identifiers as keys, avoid index as keys for dynamic lists, and ensure proper key propagation.

What is the Context API in React and what problem does it solve?

Context API provides a way to pass data through the component tree without having to pass props manually at every level. It solves prop drilling issues and enables global state management for specific data that needs to be accessed by many components.

What are the core components of Context API?

The core components are: React.createContext() to create a context, Context.Provider to wrap components that need access to the context value, and Context.Consumer or useContext hook to consume the context value.

How do you create and provide a context?

Create context using React.createContext(defaultValue) and provide it using the Provider component: <MyContext.Provider value={value}>{children}</MyContext.Provider>. The value prop can be any JavaScript value.

What is the default value in createContext and when is it used?

Default value is used when a component consumes context but isn't wrapped in a provider. It's useful for testing, default states, and fallback values. Should represent valid context state.

What is the relationship between Context and Props?

Context complements props by providing a way to share values without explicit passing. Use context for truly global state, props for component-specific data.

What are the best practices for context naming and organization?

Use clear naming conventions, organize contexts by feature/domain, implement proper file structure. Consider maintainability and scalability.

What are Error Boundaries in React and why are they used?

Error Boundaries are React components that catch JavaScript errors in their child component tree and display fallback UI. They prevent the entire app from crashing and provide a way to gracefully handle runtime errors.

How do you handle errors in event handlers?

Use try-catch blocks in event handlers, implement proper error handling and state updates, provide user feedback. Consider global error handling for uncaught errors in events.

What are the best practices for error message design?

Provide clear, actionable error messages, implement proper i18n, consider user experience, maintain consistency. Handle different error types appropriately.

What are the main testing libraries used in React applications?

Main testing libraries include Jest (test runner and assertion library), React Testing Library (component testing), Enzyme (component testing), Cypress (E2E testing), and React Test Renderer (snapshot testing). Each serves different testing needs and approaches.

What is React Testing Library and what problem does it solve?

React Testing Library is a testing utility that encourages testing components as users would use them. It focuses on testing behavior rather than implementation details, promotes accessibility, and helps write more maintainable tests.

What is the difference between shallow and mount rendering?

Shallow rendering tests component in isolation without rendering child components, while mount rendering fully renders component and children. Each has different use cases and performance implications.

What are the best practices for test organization?

Group related tests, maintain clear test structure, use proper naming conventions. Consider test maintainability and readability.

What are the different approaches to styling in React applications?

Main approaches include: CSS Modules, Styled Components, CSS-in-JS libraries, traditional CSS/SASS, Tailwind CSS, and inline styles. Each approach has different benefits for scoping, maintainability, and performance.

What are CSS Modules and what problems do they solve?

CSS Modules are CSS files where all class names are scoped locally by default. They solve naming conflicts, provide better encapsulation, and enable modular styling. Each component gets unique class names through compilation.

What are Styled Components and how do they work?

Styled Components is a CSS-in-JS library that allows writing actual CSS in JavaScript. Components are created with styles attached, supporting props-based styling, theming, and dynamic styles. Styles are scoped to components.

How do you handle conditional styling in React?

Use template literals, classnames library, CSS modules composition, or styled-components props. Handle dynamic classes and inline styles based on props or state.

What are the key principles of component composition in React?

Key principles include: single responsibility, reusability, proper prop drilling avoidance, composition over inheritance, and proper component hierarchy. Components should be small, focused, and maintainable.

What are the recommended patterns for prop handling?

Use prop types or TypeScript, implement proper prop validation, avoid excessive props, use proper prop naming, and consider prop drilling alternatives.

What are the recommended patterns for component documentation?

Implement proper JSDoc comments, maintain clear prop documentation, document component usage, provide examples, and consider documentation maintenance strategies.

What are the different ways to fetch data in React?

Common methods include fetch API, Axios, React Query, SWR, GraphQL clients. Each has different features for handling requests, caching, error handling, and request cancellation.

How do you handle API calls with useEffect?

Use useEffect for API calls, handle cleanup with cancel tokens, manage loading and error states, implement proper dependency array. Consider race conditions and component unmounting.

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HR Interview Questions

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Role-Specific Questions

  • Frontend Developer
  • Full-Stack Developer
  • React Engineer

Expert Insights

  • Detailed explanations to demystify React concepts.

Real-World Scenarios

  • Hands-on exercises for creating and debugging React components.

How Stark.ai Helps You Prepare for reactjs Interviews

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Tips to Ace Your reactjs Interviews

Understand React Fundamentals

Be fluent in JSX, state management, and the component lifecycle.

Build Reusable Components

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Stay Updated

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