The empty state tripped me up more than I expected.
Start by clarifying requirements and constraints, then outline a component API that separates data, presentation, and behavior. Walk through the implementation focusing on reusability, empty state, and extensibility for future API-driven data and reordering. Discuss trade-offs and how you would test and document the component.
Pro tip: Emphasize that the component should be controlled and stateless where possible, delegating data fetching and reordering logic to parent components or hooks. This demonstrates separation of concerns and makes the component easier to test and reuse.
Ask about expected item shape, performance needs (e.g., virtualization), and whether reordering should be immediate or persisted. Confirm if the component should handle loading and error states in addition to empty state.
Define props like items, renderItem, keyExtractor, onItemClick, onReorder, emptyStateComponent, and loading/error props. Keep the API minimal but extensible, using render props or component injection for customization.
Create a functional component that conditionally renders the empty state, loading state, or the list. Use a flat list for performance and wrap it in a container that can later integrate drag-and-drop libraries.
Abstract data fetching into a custom hook or parent component, and design the list to accept an onReorder callback that can be wired to an API. Use a state management pattern that allows optimistic updates.
Talk about controlled vs uncontrolled components, performance implications of re-renders, and how you would test empty state, callbacks, and reordering. Mention accessibility considerations.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.