Effects are an escape hatch from React. They let you synchronize with external systems. If there is no external system involved, you shouldn't need an Effect.
| Situation | DON'T | DO |
|---|---|---|
| Derived state from props/state | useState + useEffect |
Calculate during render |
| Expensive calculations | useEffect to cache |
useMemo |
| Reset state on prop change | useEffect with setState |
key prop |
| User event responses | useEffect watching state |
Event handler directly |
| Notify parent of changes | useEffect calling onChange |
Call in event handler |
| Fetch data | useEffect without cleanup |
useEffect with cleanup OR framework |
useSyncExternalStore when possible)const fullName = firstName + ' ' + lastName
Need to respond to something?
├── User interaction (click, submit, drag)?
│ └── Use EVENT HANDLER
├── Component appeared on screen?
│ └── Use EFFECT (external sync, analytics)
├── Props/state changed and need derived value?
│ └── CALCULATE DURING RENDER
│ └── Expensive? Use useMemo
└── Need to reset state when prop changes?
└── Use KEY PROP on component