Skip to main content

Why is it important to avoid duplicating state?

Because duplicated state = a source of bugs. Always.


What happens when you duplicate:

  • You change one value and forget the other
  • The UI shows one thing while the logic thinks another
  • It's unclear which of the copies is "the real one"
  • Manual synchronization becomes necessary
  • Bugs happen "seemingly at random"

Example:

You store a products list and a separate filteredProducts list. Then you update products, but forget to update filteredProducts - the screen shows stale data.


How to avoid it:

  • Use derived state whenever something can be computed
  • Keep a single source of truth
  • Never store a "copy for convenience" without a good reason

Conclusion: Duplicated state is a trap for the mind and for bugs. The fewer places where data lives, the cleaner, simpler, and more reliable everything works.

Short Answer

Interview ready
Premium

A concise answer to help you respond confidently on this topic during an interview.