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Week 20 React Recap — Context API, useReducer, Authentication & Real Project Practice

This week was mainly focused on deepening my understanding of Context API and useReducer, but this time not just through theory or small examples — I implemented these concepts inside real projects.

Most of my learning this week happened inside my WorldWise project, where I practiced advanced state management and application architecture.

Instead of just watching tutorials, I tried to apply every concept directly into a real codebase.

That made a huge difference.


Practicing Context API in a Real Project

This week I continued working with Context API, but this time at a deeper level.

I used Context API inside the WorldWise project to manage application state and share data between components without prop drilling.

Working inside a real project helped me understand:

  • How Context Provider should be structured
  • Where Context should live in the app
  • How to keep Context clean and organized
  • How to avoid unnecessary complexity

This felt very different from small demo projects.

Inside a real application, you start to understand why Context API exists.


useReducer in Real Applications

I also continued practicing useReducer, especially in situations where state logic becomes complex.

Using useReducer helped me manage structured state logic instead of using many useState hooks.

This improved:

  • Code organization
  • State predictability
  • Debugging
  • Application logic clarity

I now feel much more confident using useReducer together with Context API, which is a powerful combination for medium-sized React apps.


Fake Authentication System

Another important concept this week was Authentication using a Fake Auth system.

I implemented a simple authentication flow to understand:

  • How login state works
  • How protected areas of the app work
  • How authentication affects navigation
  • How React apps control user access

This was not a real backend authentication system, but it helped me understand how authentication works conceptually in React applications.

This knowledge will be very useful when I implement real authentication later.


Coding Challenge — Improving My React Quiz App

Alongside the WorldWise project, I also completed a coding challenge where I improved my previous React Quiz Application.

In this challenge, I:

  • Replaced prop-based state management with Context API
  • Used useReducer inside Context
  • Centralized application state
  • Improved the code structure
  • Made the state logic cleaner

This helped me understand how to refactor an existing project into a better architecture.

This was not about building a new project — it was about improving an existing codebase, which is a very important real-world skill.


Real Learning Happened Through Practice

This week confirmed something important for me:

Learning React is not just about knowing hooks.

Real understanding comes from:

  • Implementing concepts in projects
  • Improving old code
  • Refactoring architecture
  • Solving real problems

Most of this week’s learning happened inside the WorldWise project, where I practiced real application patterns.


Next Focus — React Performance Optimization

Next, I will move toward React Performance Optimization.

This will include concepts like:

  • Avoiding unnecessary re-renders

  • Memoization techniques

  • Component optimization

  • Understanding React rendering behavior

  • Hooks like:

  • useMemo

  • useCallback

  • React.memo

Right now I only know their names, but the goal is to deeply understand how performance optimization works, not just use the hooks blindly.

After that, I will apply these concepts inside my real projects like WorldWise.


This week felt like another step toward thinking more like a real React developer instead of just a learner.

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