How to Save a Custom Object Array in Instance State in React?

How can I save a custom object array in the state of a React component?

this.setState({ customObjects: [...this.state.customObjects, newObject] });

Managing arrays of custom objects in React's component state is a common scenario, especially when building responsive UIs. Here, we'll explore how to reliably store an array of custom objects in a component's state, ensuring data integrity and performance.

class CustomComponent extends React.Component {
  constructor(props) {
    super(props);
    this.state = {
      customObjects: [] // Initial state as an empty array
    };
  }

  addCustomObject = (newObject) => {
    this.setState(prevState => ({
      customObjects: [...prevState.customObjects, newObject] // Update state immutably
    }));
  };

  render() {
    return (
      <div>
        {this.state.customObjects.map(obj => <div key={obj.id}>{obj.name}</div>)}
      </div>
    );
  }
}

Causes

• Lack of proper state management in React can lead to data loss.
• Not using the functional form of setState when relying on previous state.

Solutions

• Use the spread operator to maintain immutability when adding new objects.
• Consider using useState or useReducer hooks to manage state effectively, especially for complex applications.
• Ensure that you have the correct initial state setup before adding or modifying objects.

Mistake: Directly modifying state, leading to unexpected results.

Solution: Always use setState to update state immutably.

Mistake: Forgetting to return the updated state in functional setState.

Solution: Always return the new state object or use the spread operator to avoid mutations.