Answer
Refs are not reactive. Mutating them will not trigger re-renders, so using them to drive UI updates is ineffective.
Quick Answer
Refs hold a mutable container — mutating ref.current doesn't cause a re-render, which is why they're used for DOM access and imperative APIs. Mutating a ref that React uses internally (like a DOM node's style or children) can conflict with React's own DOM management, causing inconsistencies that are difficult to debug.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ