Spent the first few minutes just thinking out loud about how to split things up, like a Table wrapper, a Header row, a Body, a Pagination control.
Start by clarifying requirements (data size, server vs client-side pagination/sorting, column config API) and then walk through a clean component decomposition: a container Table component managing state, presentational subcomponents (Header, Body, Pagination), and a column configuration array. Discuss state design (useState/useReducer for page, sort, data) and trade-offs, then address the follow-up by outlining extension points (virtualization, server-side ops) and mobile responsiveness (horizontal scroll, card layout, touch targets).
Pro tip: Emphasize controlled vs uncontrolled component patterns and memoization (React.memo, useMemo) to avoid unnecessary re-renders—Meta interviewers value performance awareness and API design maturity.
Ask about data volume, client vs server-side pagination/sorting, column configuration needs, and expected interactions. This shows you avoid premature implementation and align with real-world use cases.
Propose a container/presentational split: Table (stateful) renders Header, Body, Pagination. Define state: currentPage, sortConfig, and data (or fetch status). Use useReducer for complex state transitions.
Design a columns prop as an array of objects with key, header, sortable, render, etc. This enables dynamic columns and keeps the component reusable and declarative.
For client-side, slice data and sort with a comparator; for server-side, trigger fetches on page/sort change. Discuss controlled props (onPageChange, onSortChange) for flexibility.
Outline extension points: virtual scrolling, column resizing, row selection. For mobile, suggest responsive design: horizontal scroll, stacked card layout, larger touch targets, and hiding less important columns.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.