React is easy to learn but hard to master. The patterns that work for small projects often break down at scale. This guide covers advanced patterns used by companies like Facebook, Airbnb, and Netflix to build maintainable, scalable React applications.
Compound Components
Compound components let you build flexible, composable APIs. Instead of passing dozens of props, you compose components together.
The Pattern
Think of HTML's <select> and <option> elements. They work together but are separate components. You can implement this in React using Context. The parent component provides state and methods via Context, and child components consume them. This creates a clean API where components are loosely coupled but work together seamlessly.
When to Use It
Use compound components when you have a group of components that need to work together but should be flexible in composition. Examples: tabs, accordions, dropdown menus, or any component where users need control over structure and content.
Custom Hooks for Logic Reuse
Custom hooks let you extract component logic into reusable functions. This is one of React's most powerful features.
Building Effective Hooks
A good custom hook has a single responsibility. useAuth handles authentication. useLocalStorage manages local storage. useFetch handles data fetching. Don't create god hooks that do everything. Keep them focused and composable. Return both state and actions from your hooks to give consumers full control.
Hook Composition
Hooks can use other hooks. This lets you build complex functionality from simple, tested pieces. For example, useForm might use useLocalStorage for draft saving and useValidation for field validation. Each piece is simple and testable, but together they create powerful functionality.
State Machines with XState
Complex UI state is hard to manage with useState. State machines make it explicit and predictable.
Why State Machines
Traditional state management leads to impossible states. A form can't be both submitting and showing an error. State machines make impossible states impossible. You define explicit states (idle, loading, success, error) and transitions between them. This eliminates bugs and makes your code self-documenting.
Implementing with XState
XState is a library for creating state machines in JavaScript. Define your states, events, and transitions in a machine configuration. Use the useMachine hook to integrate with React. The result is predictable, testable state management that scales to complex UIs.
Key Takeaways
These patterns aren't just academic exercises—they solve real problems in production applications. Compound components create flexible APIs. Custom hooks enable logic reuse. State machines eliminate impossible states. Master these patterns, and you'll write React code that's maintainable, scalable, and a joy to work with.
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