React Context API: Simplified State Management

What is Context API? 🤔

Context API is a built-in React feature that allows you to share state across multiple components without prop drilling. Think of it as a way to create global state that any component can access.

When to Use Context? 🎯

When data needs to be accessible by many components
To avoid passing props through multiple levels
For global state like themes, user data, or language preferences
When you need a lightweight alternative to state management libraries

How to Use Context API 📝

Create Context
```
const MyContext = createContext();
```

Create Provider

const MyProvider = ({ children }) => {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialValue);
  
  return (
    <MyContext.Provider value={{ state, setState }}>
      {children}
    </MyContext.Provider>
  );
};

Use Context in Components

const MyComponent = () => {
  const { state, setState } = useContext(MyContext);
  return <div>{state}</div>;
};

Best Practices 💡

Keep Context Focused
- Use separate contexts for unrelated data
- Don't put everything in one context

Place Provider Wisely

function App() {
  return (
    <AuthProvider>
      <ThemeProvider>
        <App />
      </ThemeProvider>
    </AuthProvider>
  );
}

Create Custom Hook

const useTheme = () => {
  const context = useContext(ThemeContext);
  if (!context) {
    throw new Error('useTheme must be used within ThemeProvider');
  }
  return context;
};

Common Use Cases 🎯

Theme switching
User authentication
Language selection
Shopping cart
Site preferences

Tips 🚀

Only use Context for state that truly needs to be global
Consider performance implications with frequent updates
Use multiple contexts instead of one giant context
Remember to wrap components with Provider
Use useContext hook for consuming context