React Hooks - using useState vs just variables

Question

React Hooks give us useState option, and I always see Hooks vs Class-State comparisons. But what about Hooks and some regular variables?

For example,

function Foo() {     let a = 0;     a = 1;     return <div>{a}</div>; } 

I didn't use Hooks, and it will give me the same results as:

function Foo() {     const [a, setA] = useState(0);     if (a != 1) setA(1); // to avoid infinite-loop     return <div>{a}</div>; } 

So what is the diffrence? Using Hooks even more complex for that case...So why start using it?

Answer 1

The reason is if you useState it rerenders the view. Variables by themselves only change bits in memory and the state of your app can get out of sync with the view.

Compare this examples:

function Foo() {     const [a, setA] = useState(0);     return <div onClick={() => setA(a + 1)}>{a}</div>; }  function Foo() {     let a = 0;     return <div onClick={() => a + 1}>{a}</div>; } 

In both cases a changes on click but only when you use useState the view correctly shows a's current value.