Passing Props & Composition Patterns
Passing props and providing defaults via destructuring; composition vs inheritance; children and slots-like patterns for flexible UIs.
Passing Props & Composition Patterns is a free React Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the React Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Overview
Goal: Pass data with props, set defaults, and build UIs by composition using children/slots.
Passing props basics
Props are read-only inputs from parent to child. Parents render children with attributes; children read them via parameters.
- Do not mutate props.
- Re-render when parent props/state change.
Demo: default props
Provide default props with parameter destructuring to keep components robust.
<div id="root"></div>
Composition, not inheritance
Composition assembles UIs from smaller parts (children/slots) and is preferred to inheritance for flexibility and clear data flow.
Demo: children & slots
Use children and named slots-like props to customize layout without inheritance.
<div id="root"></div>
Tips & pitfalls
Tips:
- Document prop names and defaults.
- Prefer small, focused children/slots.
- Avoid deep inheritance chains.
Default props check
Recap
Recap: Pass data via props, add defaults with destructuring, and prefer composition (children/slots) over inheritance for reusable UIs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Passing Props & Composition Patterns” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Passing Props & Composition Patterns” is free to read here on the web, and the React Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the React Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Passing Props & Composition Patterns”?
Passing props and providing defaults via destructuring; composition vs inheritance; children and slots-like patterns for flexible UIs. You practise React Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start React Academy?
No prior experience is required. React Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Passing Props & Composition Patterns” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this React Academy lesson?
Yes. Every React Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Passing Props & Composition Patterns
- Props & Composition
- Reusable Presentational Components