The SPFx Web Part Lifecycle

Every SPFx web part follows a distinct lifecycle managed by four primary methods. These methods provide specific hooks for developers to initialize code, render the user interface, perform actions after rendering, and clean up resources.

The React Component Lifecycle

When a React component is rendered by an SPFx web part, it brings its own powerful set of lifecycle methods that layer on top of the SPFx render and onDispose stages. These methods provide granular control over the component's creation, updates, and destruction, allowing for more sophisticated state management and UI interactions.

Note on Deprecated Methods: The older React lifecycle methods such as componentWillMount, componentWillReceiveProps, and componentWillUpdate are now deprecated.

The Integrated Lifecycle

The central thesis of modern SPFx development with React is the mapping of their two lifecycles into a single, predictable execution order. The following sequence outlines the precise, step-by-step flow when an SPFx web part hosts a React component, from the moment it is added to a page until it is removed.

By mastering this integrated lifecycle, developers can architect more sophisticated and reliable web parts that fully leverage the power of both frameworks.

SPFx and React Web Part Lifecycle -Simplified