JavaScript React Basics (retired) Designing Data Flow Adding Players to the Scoreboard

Posted by shyarkhalil
shyarkhalil
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 17,762 Points

Can someone explain for me why do we use this.setState(this.state)?

I don't understand why do we use "this" and why do we use this.setState(this.state)?

3 Answers

Giovanni P.
Giovanni P.
4,803 Points
Giovanni P.
Giovanni P.
4,803 Points

While the OP has probably already figured this out, it might be good for there to be an actual answer in case others are looking for it.

The reason we call this.setState( this.state ) is so that React actually rerenders the page with the new state. If we just set this.state and didn't call this.setState( this.state ), the state variable would change, but React wouldn't know it is supposed to rerender the page.

I hope that helps!

I Dilate
I Dilate
3,982 Points
I Dilate
I Dilate
3,982 Points

Hi shyarkhalil,

Do you have any experience with JavaScript yet?

There's a great lesson that will shed some light on how "this" works in JavaScript, inside the Beginning Javascript track. If you haven't covered that yet, then I urge you take it before moving onto attempting anything with React.

I Dilate
I Dilate
3,982 Points
I Dilate
I Dilate
3,982 Points

Here's a good summary of how "this" works, from the Full Stack Javascript track...

Understanding "this" in JavaScript

shyarkhalil
shyarkhalil
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 17,762 Points

Hi I Dilate! But you didn't answered me why do we use this.setState(this.state)?