Explain controlled vs uncontrolled React form inputs and trade-offs
Tests state versus DOM ownership. Controlled inputs bind to React state via onChange; uncontrolled inputs read from DOM via refs. Trade-offs: reactivity, validation, complexity. Red flag: saying uncontrolled is easier while ignoring lost live validation.
This tests declarative state flow versus direct DOM mutation. Controlled inputs bind value to React state and update via onChange, enabling instant validation, formatting, and conditional UI at the cost of boilerplate. Uncontrolled inputs let the DOM store value, read via refs or submit events, which reduces code for simple forms but sacrifices real-time reactivity and risks desynchronizing with React's render cycle.
Read the original → react.dev
- #react
- #forms
- #state-management
- #components
- #interview
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