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React Optimization Basics

React optimization doesn't have to be complex. ZenReact provides zero-configuration performance optimization that "just works" while maintaining clean, readable code.

Why Optimization Matters

React applications can face performance challenges:

  • Unnecessary re-renders
  • Slow state updates
  • Memory leaks
  • Poor bundle size

Traditional solutions require complex configuration and deep React knowledge. ZenReact solves these automatically.

Core Features

withOptimization HOC

jsx
import { withOptimization } from '@zenreact/core';

// Before: Complex manual optimization
const MemoizedComponent = React.memo(MyComponent, (prev, next) => deepEqual(prev, next));

// After: Automatic optimization
const OptimizedComponent = withOptimization(MyComponent);

The withOptimization HOC:

  • Prevents unnecessary re-renders
  • Handles prop comparison automatically
  • Adds zero bundle size overhead
  • Works with any React component

Smart Detection

ZenReact automatically:

  • Identifies re-render patterns
  • Batches related updates
  • Optimizes memory usage
  • Adjusts based on runtime metrics

Performance Monitoring

Built-in monitoring provides:

  • Real-time performance metrics
  • Automatic optimization adjustments
  • Development-mode insights
  • Zero production overhead

Best Practices

When to Optimize

Apply optimization when components:

  • Re-render frequently
  • Handle complex data
  • Manage user interactions
  • Display large lists/tables
jsx
// Do: Optimize data-heavy components
const ProductTable = withOptimization(({ products }) => (
  <table>
    {products.map((product) => (
      <tr key={product.id}>{/* Product rows */}</tr>
    ))}
  </table>
));

// Don't: Optimize simple static components
const Footer = () => <footer>© 2025 My App</footer>;

Component Patterns

Follow these patterns for best results:

  1. Props Management
jsx
// Good: Flat props structure
const UserCard = withOptimization(({ name, email }) => (
  <div>
    {name} - {email}
  </div>
));

// Avoid: Nested prop objects
const UserCard = ({ user: { name, email } }) => (
  <div>
    {name} - {email}
  </div>
);
  1. Event Handlers
jsx
// Good: Using optimized state
const Counter = withOptimization(() => {
  const [count, setCount] = useOptimizedState(0);
  return <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Count: {count}</button>;
});
  1. List Rendering
jsx
// Good: Optimized list component
const ItemList = withOptimization(({ items }) => (
  <ul>
    {items.map((item) => (
      <li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
    ))}
  </ul>
));

Monitoring & Metrics

Key Performance Indicators

ZenReact monitors:

  • Re-render frequency
  • Component update time
  • Memory consumption
  • Runtime optimization effectiveness

Debugging

Enable debug mode for detailed insights:

jsx
const MyComponent = withOptimization(BaseComponent, {
  debug: true,
  name: 'MyComponent',
});

This provides:

  • Re-render logs
  • Update timing
  • Optimization decisions
  • Memory usage stats

Migration Guide

  1. Install ZenReact:
bash
npm install @zenreact/core
  1. Identify optimization targets:
  • Components with frequent updates
  • Performance bottlenecks
  • Complex data handling
  1. Apply optimization:
jsx
import { withOptimization } from '@zenreact/core';

// Convert existing components
const OptimizedComponent = withOptimization(ExistingComponent);

// New components
const NewComponent = withOptimization(({ data }) => (
  // Component logic
));
  1. Monitor results:
  • Check browser performance tools
  • Review ZenReact debug output
  • Measure user experience metrics

Common Patterns

Data Grid Optimization

jsx
const OptimizedGrid = withOptimization(({ data, columns }) => (
  <div className="grid">
    {data.map((row) => (
      <Row key={row.id} data={row} columns={columns} />
    ))}
  </div>
));

const Row = withOptimization(({ data, columns }) => (
  <div className="row">
    {columns.map((col) => (
      <Cell key={col.id} value={data[col.id]} />
    ))}
  </div>
));

Form Handling

jsx
const OptimizedForm = withOptimization(({ onSubmit }) => {
  const [values, setValues] = useOptimizedState({});

  return (
    <form onSubmit={() => onSubmit(values)}>
      <input
        onChange={(e) =>
          setValues({
            ...values,
            name: e.target.value,
          })
        }
      />
    </form>
  );
});

Real-time Updates

jsx
const LiveData = withOptimization(({ stream }) => {
  const [data, setData] = useOptimizedState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    stream.subscribe((newData) => {
      setData(newData); // Automatically optimized
    });
  }, [stream]);

  return <DataView data={data} />;
});

Summary

ZenReact provides:

  • Zero-configuration optimization
  • Automatic performance improvements
  • Built-in monitoring
  • Simple migration path

Start optimizing your React applications today with withOptimization and useOptimizedState.

Released under the MIT License.