Complex state management in React with reducer pattern

Alright, React developers, buckle up! You have undoubtedly worked with useState if you have experience with React. This hook is ideal for small, straightforward applications and is the standard for handling state in functional components. Declaring and updating state variables is made simple and uncomplicated with its help. But depending only on useState can cause some issues when your application expands and the state gets more complicated.

Why useState Can Become Challenging

UseState may be restrictive when your application grows for the following reasons:

• Multiple State Variables: You will have multiple useState calls if your component contains a large number of state variables (for instance, a form with multiple fields). The component may become disorganized and more difficult to maintain as a result.

• Complex State Transitions: UseState might result in repetitious and error-prone code as your state logic gets more intricate (for example, handling several related actions or updating the state based on the previous state). Tracking state management with useState alone can be challenging, particularly when nested state updates are involved.

• State Duplication: You may find yourself repeating logic across several components in larger apps. Managing your state in several locations can easily become too much to handle.

Understanding the Reducer Pattern

Now useReducer enters the picture. It offers a more structured and expandable method of state management, particularly when state logic gets more intricate. UseReducer is used for state management when state updates need intricate logic or when the state is updated by numerous actions.

You can handle complicated state transitions in a more predictable and maintainable manner by centralizing state management using useReducer.

What Exactly is useReducer?

At a high level, useReducer is similar to useState, but instead of directly updating the state, it uses a reducer function to describe how the state should change based on specific actions. The reducer is like a manager that takes in an action and updates the state accordingly.

Here's the structure:

• Reducer Function: This defines how the state should change based on the action dispatched.

• Initial State: The starting point for your state.

• Dispatch: A function used to send actions to the reducer, triggering the state change