🪝Finally Started the Most Awaited Section: Custom Hooks, Refs & More State
Source: Dev.to
Introduction
Wow. Finally, the session has started that I was desperately waiting for.
Today I began Section 13 of the course — which I consider Section 12 because the previous one was just an overview. This section already feels different: powerful, deep, and slightly intimidating in a good way.
The reason this section excites me so much is simple: it’s not about using React anymore — it’s about understanding React deeply.
In the previous section I learned how to use useEffect properly for data fetching and implemented it inside the usePopcorn app. That alone changed how I think about side effects in React.
Now this section is a direct extension of that knowledge.
What This Section Is About (And Why It Feels Like a “Boom”)
1️⃣ Hooks are easy to learn, hard to master
This single line explains why the section matters. I’ve been using hooks from the beginning, but mastering them is a different game altogether. There’s a lot hidden beneath the surface, and this section promises to uncover that depth.
2️⃣ Rules of Hooks
The rules exist everywhere in the React documentation, yet many of us follow them without truly understanding why. Grasping the reasoning behind the rules will automatically boost my confidence as a developer.
3️⃣ Deep Dive into useState
I’ve been using useState since day one and know:
- how it works
- when to use it
- common use cases
But I’ve never explored its deeper logic. A deep dive suggests there’s valuable insight that will change how I design state in real applications.
4️⃣ useRef (The Hook I Always Miss)
useRef has been the hook I struggled with the most. I understand it a little each time it appears, but miss the bigger picture. This time I’m fully committed to mastering useRef both theoretically and practically.
5️⃣ Custom Hooks
What are they really? Why do we need them? How do we create our own? This is where React starts to feel clean, reusable, and professional. I know this part will be fun and challenging in the best way possible.
Why This Section Feels Special to Me
This isn’t just about learning new hooks; it’s about thinking like a React developer, not just writing React code. I can already feel that once I complete this section:
- My code will be cleaner
- My logic will be more reusable
- My understanding of state will be deeper
And honestly, that’s the kind of growth I’ve been working towards.