React useEffect - passing a function in the dependency array

Question

Why is an infinite loop created when I pass a function expression into the useEffect dependency array? The function expression does not alter the component state, it only references it.

// component has one prop called => sections

const markup = (count) => {
    const stringCountCorrection = count + 1;
    return (
        // Some markup that references the sections prop
    );
};

// Creates infinite loop
useEffect(() => {
    if (sections.length) {
        const sectionsWithMarkup = sections.map((section, index)=> markup(index));
        setSectionBlocks(blocks => [...blocks, ...sectionsWithMarkup]);
    } else {
        setSectionBlocks(blocks => []);
    }
}, [sections, markup]);

If markup altered state I could understand why it would create an infinite loop but it does not it simply references the sections prop.

For those looking for the solution to this problem

const markup = useCallback((count) => {
        const stringCountCorrection = count + 1;
        return (
            // some markup referencing the sections prop
        );
// useCallback dependency array
}, [sections]);

So I'm not looking for a code related answer to this question. If possible I'm looking for a detailed explanation as to why this happens.

I'm more interested in the why then just simply finding the answer or correct way to solve the problem.

Why does passing a function in the useEffect dependency array that is declared outside of useEffect cause a re-render when both state and props aren't changed in said function.

Solution 1

The issue is that upon each render cycle, markup is redefined. React uses shallow object comparison to determine if a value updated or not. Each render cycle markup has a different reference. You can use useCallback to memoize the function though so the reference is stable. Do you have the react hook rules enabled for your linter? If you did then it would likely flag it, tell you why, and make this suggestion to resolve the reference issue.

const markup = useCallback(
  (count) => {
    const stringCountCorrection = count + 1;
    return (
      // Some markup that references the sections prop
    );
  },
  [count, /* and any other dependencies the react linter suggests */]
);

// No infinite looping, markup reference is stable/memoized
useEffect(() => {
    if (sections.length) {
        const sectionsWithMarkup = sections.map((section, index)=> markup(index));
        setSectionBlocks(blocks => [...blocks, ...sectionsWithMarkup]);
    } else {
        setSectionBlocks(blocks => []);
    }
}, [sections, markup]);

Solution 2

Why is an infinite loop created when I pass a function expression

The "infinite loop" is the component re-rendering over and over because the markup function is a NEW function reference (pointer in memory) each time the component renders and useEffect triggers the re-render because it's a dependency.

The solution is as @drew-reese pointed out, use the useCallback hook to define your markup function.