How to force a React component to re-render

One of the most popular technologies among software developers is React, becoming the favorite of thousands of developers worldwide to design web pages and dynamic applications with an optimal frontend that users like.

React is an open-source library created by Facebook. React, or ReactJS, allows developers to quickly and efficiently build user interfaces by including Java files in their HTML. It is one of the most popular Java libraries in the world and is used by big platforms like Netflix, Airbnb and even Walmart.

Components in React

On their official page, they briefly explain the function of a component “Components allow the user or developer to divide the user interface into independent and reusable pieces, and to think of each piece in isolation”.

In W3Schools they detail “Components are independent and reusable bits of code. They have the same purpose as JavaScript functions but work in isolation and return HTML. Components come in two types, Class components and Function components, in this tutorial we will concentrate on Function components.

How to force a React component to render again

A React component automatically re-renders whenever there is a change in state or props, it only takes a simple state update from anywhere in the code to automatically re-render UI elements. However, you may see cases where rendering depends on other data.

After the initial assembly of the components, a new render will occur when:

The setState() method of a component is called.

The forceUpdate() method of a component is called.

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The setState() method

If the component already has state then you can update the state to its current value in a simple way:

ourMethod(){
    // It simply sets the state to its current value
    this.setState({ state: this.state });
};

The forceUpdate() method

With this method we will achieve the long-awaited forced rendering of a React component. Calling forceUpdate() will cause the component to be rendered to be called and shouldComponentUpdate() will be skipped.

At EducationalIO they explained “This will trigger the normal lifecycle methods for child components, including each child's shouldComponentUpdate() method. React will only update the DOM if the markup changes."

Code:

import React, { Component } from 'react';
import 'bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.css';

class App extends React.Component{
  builder(){
    super();
    this.forceUpdateHandler = this.forceUpdateHandler.bind(this);
  };
  
  forceUpdateHandler(){
    this.forceUpdate();
  };
  
  render(){
    return(
      <div>
        <button onClick= {this.forceUpdateHandler} >FORCE UPDATE</button>
        <h4>Random Number : { Math.random() }</h4>
      </div>
    );
  }
}

export defaultApp;

The best tutorials to learn React

Are you interested in learning more about React and what this technology has to offer your project? We recommend these tutorials where you can learn the basics and a little more:

Udemy

One of the most celebrated pages to learn to program in different frameworks and technologies. Thousands of free tutorials are available for anyone interested in taking their first steps in the world of programming. ReactJS is part of those tutorials, where you can learn the basics of programming with this technology.

There are several ReactJS tutorials on Udemi, but the one recommended by ReactJS experts is one called “React JS Frontend Web Development for Beginners”.

Coursera

Another platform is recognized for its different certified courses taught by experts in their respective fields. One of the best they have for ReactJS is front end web development with React and it will teach you your component and JSX then it will go into some advanced concepts like React routing and designing a single-page app and architecture. flow and creation of Redux clients. - server communication. and how to use the REST API and more.

ReactJS Official Page

Yes, also on the official page of this technology you can find several tutorials at your disposal, where they will teach you how to start creating and developing your first application or website. This is an opportunity to learn about this technology, it is always an advantage to obtain information on the official pages where there is documentation and direct information from the creators.

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