A search bar is a common feature in web applications that allows users to quickly find specific information within a dataset. In this blog post, we'll explore how to create a search bar in a React.js application. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a functional search bar that filters data as users type.

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. Node.js and npm: Ensure that you have Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) installed on your computer. You can download them from nodejs.org.

2. React Project: You should have an existing React project or create a new one. You can create a new React app using Create React App or any other setup of your choice.

Step 1: Create a React App (If Needed)

If you don't have a React project, you can create one using Create React App. Open your terminal and run the following command:

npx create-react-app search-bar-app

You can also use :

npm init react-app search-bar-app

Replace search-bar-app with your preferred project name.

If you are having an error due to babel plugin, this code :

 npm install --save-dev @babel/plugin-proposal-private-property-in-object

Step 2: Set Up the Data

For this example, let's assume you have a dataset you want to search. You can use a simple JavaScript array as your data source. Create a file named data.js in your project's src directory and define your data:

Step 3: Create the SearchBar Component

Now, let's create a SearchBar component that allows users to search for data within your dataset. In your src directory, create a new file named SearchBar.js:

In this component:

• We use the useState hook to manage the searchTerm state, which represents the text entered in the search bar.
• The handleInputChange function is called whenever the user types in the input field. It updates the searchTerm state and calls the onSearch prop, which we'll define later to handle the actual search logic.

Step 4: Create the SearchableList Component

Now, let's create a SearchableList component that displays the filtered data based on the search term. Create a file named SearchableList.js in your src directory:

In this component:

• We import the SearchBar component we created earlier and pass it the data array and the handleSearch function as props.
• The handleSearch function filters the data based on the search term and updates the filteredData state.
• The filtered data is then displayed as a list.

Step 5: Use the SearchableList Component

Now, let's use the SearchableList component in your main App.js file:

Step 6: Styling (Optional)

You can add CSS styles to your search bar and list components to improve their appearance. Create a CSS file, such as SearchableList.css, in your src directory and define your styles:

.

Step 7: Running the Application

Start your React application by running:

You should see your search bar and list displayed in the browser. You can now enter search terms in the input field to filter the list.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we've created a simple search bar component in a React.js application. This search bar allows users to filter data based on their input. You can customize this example to fit your specific data and styling needs. Implementing a search feature can greatly enhance the usability of your application, especially when dealing with large datasets.