How to debug forwardRefs in DevTools?
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React.forwardRef accepts a render function as parameter and DevTools uses this function to determine what to display for the ref forwarding component.
For example, If you don't name the render function or not using displayName property then it will appear as ”ForwardRef” in the DevTools,
const WrappedComponent = React.forwardRef((props, ref) => {
return <LogProps {...props} forwardedRef={ref} />;
});
But If you name the render function then it will appear as ”ForwardRef(myFunction)”
const WrappedComponent = React.forwardRef(function myFunction(props, ref) {
return <LogProps {...props} forwardedRef={ref} />;
});
As an alternative, You can also set displayName property for forwardRef function,
function logProps(Component) {
class LogProps extends React.Component {
// ...
}
function forwardRef(props, ref) {
return <LogProps {...props} forwardedRef={ref} />;
}
// Give this component a more helpful display name in DevTools.
// e.g. "ForwardRef(logProps(MyComponent))"
const name = Component.displayName || Component.name;
forwardRef.displayName = `logProps(${name})`;
return React.forwardRef(forwardRef);
}
Candidate Response Strategy & Interview Tips
- Start with a concise one-sentence summary: Deliver a direct, confident answer first before expanding into nuances.
- Demonstrate real-world trade-offs: Discuss where this approach excels and when you would avoid it in production systems.
- Discuss complexity & edge cases: Proactively explain time/space complexity or boundary conditions (null values, scale limits).
- Prepare for interviewer follow-ups: Technical hiring panels frequently probe deeper into concurrency, backward compatibility, or alternative libraries.