How to Conditionally Call an API Based on Received Values in JavaScript Using React

Learn how to accurately call an API in React depending on whether the received state value is a string or a number. Follow our step-by-step guide for a better understanding!
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How to Conditionally Call an API Based on Received Values in JavaScript Using React

In modern web development, it's quite common to make API calls based on user inputs or other dynamic data values. This is especially true in frameworks like React, where you manage state to keep your UI in sync with the data. However, you might run into issues when trying to conditionally call an API based on the received state. In this guide, we will address a common problem: how to call an API conditionally depending on whether the received value is a string or a number.

Understanding the Problem

Let's consider a scenario where you have two APIs and need to call the correct one based on the type of data received from a user. For simplicity, let's say:

firstAPI is designed to work with string data.

secondAPI only accepts numerical data as parameters.

In your React app, you are managing the state with a variable, selectedValue, and you want to use its value to determine which API to call. If the value is a string, you want to call firstAPI; if it’s a numerical value, then call secondAPI.

However, you might find that your current implementation is not working as expected. For instance, it may always default to calling firstAPI, resulting in errors if the input is not suitable (such as a number being passed to a string-based API).

The Solution

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to implement a solution that correctly checks the type of the input and calls the appropriate API:

1. Define Your Functions

First, ensure you’ve defined your API functions correctly. This is how your APIs should generally look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Adjust Your Conditional Logic

The crux of the solution lies in your click handler function, where you will determine which API to call.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Bind the Click Event

Make sure to connect your button to the handleExcelClick function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Takeaways

Use typeof to check the variable's data type.

Ensure that each conditional path returns the appropriate value or calls the relevant API.

Conclusion

By applying these techniques, you can conditionally call APIs in React based on the underlying values in your state. This approach not only enhances the robustness of your application but also minimizes the likelihood of running into errors caused by type mismatches.

This solution should cover the needs of developers encountering similar issues and provide insight into handling dynamic API calls more effectively in a React application.

If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it or leave a comment with your experiences managing API calls in React!