Using the useRef hook to access DOM elements
The useRef hook in React is used to directly access and manipulate DOM elements or to maintain mutable values that do not cause a component to re-render when they change.
Synopsis
The useRef hook is useful when we need to reference a DOM element directly, without causing a component re-render. It is also used to store values that persist between renders without updating the state.
In the following example, useRef is used to create a reference to an input field and then manipulate it, such as setting focus on it when a button is clicked.
Purpose
The useRef hook provides a way to reference DOM elements efficiently and directly. Some of its main advantages are:
- Allows referencing a DOM element for direct manipulation.
- Used to retain values between renders without causing re-renders.
- Avoids the need to use document.getElementById or other traditional DOM manipulation methods.
- Useful for working with third-party libraries that require direct references to DOM elements.
Exercises
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