Understanding React Hot Reloading

Etiene JamesEtiene James
2 min read

Table of contents

React has a feature called "React Hot Reloading" that enables programmers to update the code of a React application without changing its state. This feature makes the development process faster and more efficient by allowing developers to see the changes they make to the code immediately in the application.

In traditional web development, when you make changes to the code, you have to refresh the page to see the changes. This can be time-consuming, especially if the state of the application is lost when the page is refreshed. You can see the changes to the code right away without losing any progress in the application, thanks to React Hot Reloading, which keeps the state of the application intact.

How does it work?

React Hot Reloading works by using a library called “react-hot-loader”, which allows developers to change the code and see the changes in real time. This library acts as a middleman between the React code and the browser, making hot reloading possible. React-hot-loader maintains the state of the application by updating the browser's components when the code is modified without refreshing the full page.

Developers working on large or complicated applications will find React Hot Reloading helpful because it speeds up development by cutting down on the time spent refreshing the page. This feature is also beneficial for teams who work on the same codebase, as it allows for faster collaboration and reduces the risk of losing work due to a page refresh.

In conclusion, React Hot Reloading is a useful feature in React that makes the development process faster and more efficient. By allowing developers to see the changes they make to the code immediately in the application, React Hot Reloading reduces the amount of time spent refreshing the page and enables faster collaboration. If you are a React developer, it is recommended that you try out React Hot Reloading and see how it can benefit your development process.

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Written by

Etiene James
Etiene James

I am a Software Engineer, Tech Writer based in Lagos, Nigeria. I am passionate about solving problems, sharing knowledge gained during my Tech journey, and excited in meeting people.