FrontendHaltReact·Intermediate·Conceptual·1 min read
Does React compare the entire DOM after every state update?
Short interview answer
No. React invokes the relevant component work to produce elements, reconciles those elements, and commits only necessary host mutations. The exact scheduling and bailout behavior depend on component boundaries, priorities, and memoization.
Key takeaway
Explain the underlying mental model clearly, then support it with a concrete example and its trade-offs.