In React, lifecycle methods are special functions that run at different stages of a component’s life, helping developers manage updates, performance, and side effects. These methods are primarily used in class components and are divided into three phases:
-
Mounting (Component Creation) – Methods like
componentDidMount()are used for initializing state and fetching data. -
Updating (Re-rendering) – Methods like
componentDidUpdate()handle changes in props or state. -
Unmounting (Cleanup) –
componentWillUnmount()is used for cleanup tasks like removing event listeners.
In functional components, React Hooks like useEffect() are used to handle lifecycle events, making development more efficient and streamlined.