As a Software Engineer and DJ, I have learned that writing clean React/Typescript code is like mixing a great set— small mistakes can throw off the entire flow. Just like a bad transition can really throw off the feeling on the dancefloor(if the crowd catches it), certain missteps in React can lead to buggy, slow and unmaintainable code.
But let's get to it! Here I'll break down four common mistakes developers make in React and of course a few ways to avoid them. I'll use a few DJing analogies to keep it even more fun!
🎵
1. Not Managing State Properly (AKA Dropping the Beat Too Early)
When you have a bad state management, it's like cutting to the chorus before building up the energy. If you life state too high or manage it in the wrong component, your app may become unpredictable and hard to maintain. It may even cause unnecessary re-renders.
🚫 Don't Do This
✅Try This
🎛
2. Overusing useEffect(The Feedback Loop Disaster)
If I have a favorite hook, it would definitely be useEffect. But too many unnecessary useEffectcalls are like stacking too many effects on a song. It'll create unwanted feedback loops.
🚫 Don't Do This
const Playlist: React.FC = () => {
const [tracks, setTracks] = React.useState<string[]>([]);
React.useEffect(() => {
fetch("/api/tracks") // Runs on every render 😱
.then((res) => res.json())
.then((data) => setTracks(data));
});
return <Tracklist tracks={tracks} />;
};
✅Try This
const Playlist: React.FC = () => {
const [tracks, setTracks] = React.useState<string[]>([]);
React.useEffect(() => {
fetch("/api/tracks")
.then((res) => res.json())
.then((data) => setTracks(data));
}, []); // Runs only once when the component mounts
return <Tracklist tracks={tracks} />;
};
🔗 3. Not Memoizing Expensive Computations (The Laggy Live Set)
Next to someone bumping into my equipment(this has happened before)is when too many effects are running at the same time and your song lags. Same with code. If you component recalculates a bunch of data on every render it slows down your UI.
🚫 Don't Do This
type BPMAnalyzerProps = {
beats: number[];
};
const BPMAnalyzer: React.FC<BPMAnalyzerProps> = ({ beats }) => {
const avgBPM = beats.reduce((sum, bpm) => sum + bpm, 0) / beats.length; // Runs on every render 😭
return <p>Average BPM: {avgBPM}</p>;
};
✅ Try This
const BPMAnalyzer: React.FC<BPMAnalyzerProps> = ({ beats }) => {
const avgBPM = React.useMemo(
() => beats.reduce((sum, bpm) => sum + bpm, 0) / beats.length,
[beats]
); // Only recalculates when 'beats' changes
return <p>Average BPM: {avgBPM}</p>;
};
🔊 Tip: Use useCallbackfor functions inside event handlers to prevent unnecessary re-renders in child components.
🎚 4. Ignoring Component Composition (Messy Transitions Kill the Flow)
As I would layer and transition smoothing as a developer you want to compose components properly instead of putting everything into one big file.
🚫 Don't Do This
const Mixer: React.FC = () => (
<div>
<h1>DJ Mixer</h1>
<input type="range" />
<button>Play</button>
<button>Pause</button>
</div>
);
✅ Try This
const PlayButton: React.FC = () => <button>Play</button>;
const PauseButton: React.FC = () => <button>Pause</button>;
const Mixer: React.FC = () => (
<div>
<h1>DJ Mixer</h1>
<input type="range" />
<PlayButton />
<PauseButton />
</div>
);
🔊 Tip: A well-structured component tree makes your app easier to debug, scale, and maintain.
🎶 Keep the Code Flowing Smoothly
Just like a DJ set, good React code is all about smooth transitions, efficiency, and avoiding unnecessary noise. Here’s a quick recap:
✅ Keep state where it’s needed
✅ Avoid unnecessary useEffect calls
✅ Memoize expensive calculations
✅ Use component composition wisely
Hope this guide helps you write cleaner, more efficient React (and TypeScript) code—and maybe even think about coding the way you mix music! 🎛️
🔥 What’s the biggest React mistake you’ve made? Drop a comment below! I'd love to hear!🚀
Check out one of my mixes here, while you read:
🔊 https://on.soundcloud.com/NVxeoWkBk25wZ3wm8
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