Handling Forms in React: Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Components

React applications primarily handle forms using either controlled or uncontrolled components. Controlled components have React fully manage the form state, with the component's state dictating the form's values and any changes handled via event handlers. This approach has pros such as easier validation and manipulation of data, being in sync with React's state, and more predictable behavior. However, it can become verbose for large forms and re-renders on every keystroke, potentially affecting performance. On the other hand, uncontrolled components rely on the DOM to manage state, using refs to access form values when needed. This approach has pros such as being more performant, especially in large forms, and working well with non-React libraries. However, it can be harder to validate inputs in real-time and is not in sync with React's state, making debugging trickier. When deciding which approach to use, controlled components are recommended for simple forms with validation, forms needing real-time updates, and integrating with React-managed state. Uncontrolled components are recommended for large forms with many fields and integrating with third-party UI. A hybrid approach can also be used, which initializes inputs using refs and then controls their state when needed, balancing performance and flexibility. Ultimately, the choice between controlled and uncontrolled components depends on the specific needs of the project. Controlled components are ideal for real-time validation and React-managed state, while uncontrolled components shine in large forms where performance is a concern. A hybrid approach can be used to balance performance and flexibility when needed.