Differentiate between Link and Navigate in React Router 2024

 

In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of two fundamental components within the widely acclaimed React Router Dom Library a Link and Navigate. As the backbone of many react applications, these components play pivotal roles in facilitating seamless navigation and routing. We'll explore their respective functionalities, use cases and most importantly, dissect the key differences between them. By the end of this article, you'll the comprehensive understanding of to leverage Link and Navigate effectively in your React Router Dom powered project.

 

Link Component:

The Link component in React Router is used to create a clickable links that allows users to navigate between different routes within application. It renders an anchor (<a>) element in DOM and handles the navigation internally using client-client rendering without causing a full page reload.

Key Features of Link:

Usage:

The primary purpose of Link is to create navigation links within UI of components.

Props:

The to prop is required and specifies the destination router or URL that the link should navigate to. Additional prop replace can be used to control navigation behavior.

Example 

Output

When user click on Home, About, Contact Link then he will navigate to those pages.

Navigate Component:

The navigate component in react router is used for programmatic navigation within the application. It allows developer to trigger navigation imperatively based on certain conditions or events, rather than user interaction like clicks.

Key Features of navigate

Usage:

Navigate is used to trigger navigation based on programmatic logic within application.

Props:

Similar to Link, the to prop is required and specifies the destination router or URL that the link should navigate to. Additional prop replace can be used to control navigation behavior.

 Example:

 Output:

If user is Logged In then Profile Page will render, if not then he will navigate to Login Page.

Conclusion:

While both Link and navigate components facilitate navigation within React application, they cater to different use cases. Link is ideal for creating clickable navigation links within the UI, whereas Navigate is useful for triggering navigation based on programmatic logic or conditions. Understanding the distinction between these components is crucial for building efficient and user-friendly navigation systems in React-Router based applications. By leveraging Link and Navigate appropriately, developers can create seamless navigation experience for users while maintaining control over the application's routing behavior.