What are smart and dumb components in React?
Smart components fetch data and manage state. Dumb components receive data as props and render. This separation keeps data logic in one place and rendering clean, which scales as the app grows.
Verify This Answer
Cross-check this information using these trusted sources:
More FAQs in Building Data-Driven UIs in React: Patterns That Scale
Treat state as the source of truth, centralize API calls, use a server-state library like React Query for real apps, separate smart and dumb components, handle loading, error, and empty states, and use stable keys for dynamic lists.
State drives the UI. Fetch data into state, render from state, and update state from interactions. The UI is a function of state, which is the single principle behind every data-driven React app.
To separate the data layer from the UI layer. Components call centralized API functions and store results in state, instead of scattering fetch logic across components, which makes changes hard and mocks harder.
Still have questions?
Browse all our FAQs or reach out to our support team