Lists in React are created by using JavaScript’s map() function to iterate over an array and render components dynamically.
Example:
const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
const listItems = numbers.map((number) => <li>{number}</li>);
function NumberList() {
return <ul>{listItems}</ul>;
}
Importance of Keys
Keys are unique identifiers for elements in a list. They help React efficiently update and re-render items when the list changes.
Example with keys:
const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
const listItems = numbers.map((number) => <li key={number}>{number}</li>);
Rules for Using Keys
- Keys should be unique among siblings
- Prefer stable IDs from data instead of array index
- Don’t use random numbers as keys, it can reduce performance
Rendering Components in a List
You can also render custom components in a list:
function User({ name }) {
return <li>{name}</li>;
}
const users = ["Amit", "Sagar", "Priya"];
const userList = users.map((user) => <User key={user} name={user} />);
function UserList() {
return <ul>{userList}</ul>;
}
Conclusion
Lists and keys are crucial for rendering dynamic data in React. Proper usage improves performance, stability, and predictability of your UI.
Citations
https://savanka.com/category/learn/react/
https://www.w3schools.com/REACT/DEFAULT.ASP