How to Force Re-Render in React to Enhance Performance and the User Experience

While React is an excellent JavaScript framework for developing intuitive user interfaces, some features can hinder performance and the user experience.

One such feature is re-render, a technique designed to automatically refresh the state of a React component after a change. Although useful, this feature can create problems as React applications grow in size and complexity. The result can often waste resources and delay response times.

In this article, we discuss what functional component re-renders are and the optimization techniques that can help overcome this software development challenge.

What Is Re-Render in React?

Re-render is a technique in React that automatically refreshes an on-screen component after a state or props change.

In React, state objects store the property values that belong to a component. When the property values within a state change, React will re-render the corresponding component attached to that new object and state. Likewise, React will also re-render when a change is made to “props.” The term “props” stands for properties, and it refers to information that is passed from one current component to another.

The main purpose of re-rendering in React is to streamline the process of updating certain on-screen information.

Without this feature, a website (built on React) would reload the whole page each time a user made a change. Re-rendering eliminates this problem by updating only the on-screen components that the user is interacting with.

How Does Re-Render Work?

The magic behind the re-rendering process happens in the virtual document object model (Virtual DOM).

The DOM represents the structure of a website page, and the Virtual DOM is a lightweight replication of the same web page. Since the Virtual DOM is more lightweight than the actual DOM, it is faster and easier to manipulate.

Each time new data is introduced to the web page, React responds by refreshing the Virtual DOM: It compares past and current versions of the Virtual DOM to see what has changed, determines the most efficient way to update the real DOM, and then applies those changes.

The re-rendering process happens very quickly and automatically. It occurs whether a user interacts with a web page (e.g., swipe down, input text) or external data is sent to it.

When Does Re-Render Become a Problem?

Re-rendering can become a problem if React starts to perform unnecessary re-renders. What is an unnecessary re-render? Without getting too technical, it is a re-render that occurs due to an inherent flaw in the website’s architecture. The most common causes of unnecessary re-renders are an incorrectly updated component’s state and props.

Here’s an example of an unnecessary re-render. Let’s say you have a website with an online form for customers to fill out and submit. Now, if the web page or React app were to re-render every single time the user input a new text character, then that might result in a series of unnecessary re-renders. As a result, the website would not only be slow but also resource-intensive.

It is worth noting that some unnecessary re-renders are acceptable to have on a website. However, as the number of unnecessary re-renders increases, so does the potential impact on performance and resource usage. It can also impact the user experience negatively.

In rare cases, the opposite can happen, and React may fail to automatically re-render class components when it’s supposed to.

How to Force Re-Render Functional Components in React

One of the most common ways to correct re-rendering problems in React is to manually tell a website when to re-render functional components. This is also known as a custom React hook, which may be found in a React library.

Although this process is more complicated and time-consuming than letting React take care of re-rendering on its own, a React force re-render can be an effective way to correct any problems that occur with the re-rendering process.

Before we discuss these techniques, though, it’s important to understand the difference between a shallow and a deep re-render for a class component.

How Orient Software Uses Force Re-Rendering to Optimize React Performance

Orient Software has over 19 years of experience in custom web application development using React.

By enforcing strict coding standards and guidelines, our React development team ensures a consistently high level of performance, security, and stability. We take appropriate measures to address inefficiencies early and often. Plus, we follow industry best practices to optimize website and web app performance.

What does this mean? We only apply force as a react component when it is appropriate within the context of a particular project. We do not cut corners. We also take the time to determine the nature of a class-based React component issue before taking appropriate action.

Choose Orient Software for React Development Services

Orient Software provides React.js Development Services for dynamic websites and web applications.

Whether you are starting a new project from scratch or need help with completing an existing project, our team of highly skilled React developers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to help.

Contact us today.