Harry Yates

I'm a web developer focused on TypeScript, React, and Three.js.

The Art of POST: Submitting Forms with Fetch in React

Mon, 18th Mar 2024

Mastering communication with APIs is akin to unlocking new levels of interactivity and functionality in web applications.

Today, I look at the process of using the fetch API in React to submit data to a server, employing the POST method.

This technique is essential for submitting forms, adding new records, and interacting with back-end services.

return to sender gif

Crafting the Component

Let's build a simple React component that allows users to submit a product's name and description. We'll start by setting up our component and state hooks for managing form inputs and validation messages.

Set up state

Preparing the Fetch Incantation

When the form is submitted, we'll use a fetch call with the POST method to send the product data to an API. Here's how you can structure this operation

Add the fetch

Constructing the Form

Next, incorporate a form in the component's return statement, ensuring fields for the product name and description and a submit button are included.

Build the form

PARTING THOUGHTS

This example walks you through creating a form in React and using fetch with the POST method to submit form data to a server.

The process involves preparing the data, handling the request, and managing the component's state based on the operation's outcome.

By embracing this approach, developers can effectively bridge the gap between the user interface and server-side logic.