What are React hooks?

React Hooks are special functions introduced in React 16.8 that allow you to use state and other React features without writing a class component. They simplify managing component logic by enabling functional components to have stateful behavior and side effects, which were previously only possible in class components. The most commonly used hooks include: - **useState:** Lets you add state to functional components. - **useEffect:** Allows you to perform side effects such as data fetching, subscriptions, or manually changing the DOM. - **useContext:** Enables you to access React context easily. - **useReducer:** Provides an alternative to `useState` for managing more complex state logic. - **useRef:** Gives you a way to persist values between renders without causing re-renders. Hooks promote cleaner and more reusable code by encouraging the use of smaller, focused functions called custom hooks. Overall, hooks have become a fundamental part of modern React development by making components simpler and more intuitive to work with.