Hot Reload
Hot Reload is a development tool feature that allows developers to see code changes reflected in a running application without requiring a full restart or page reload. It works by injecting updated code modules into the application while preserving its current state, such as user input or navigation history. This significantly speeds up the development feedback loop by eliminating the need to manually rebuild and restart the application after each small change.
Developers should use Hot Reload when working on frontend web applications, mobile apps, or backend services where rapid iteration and testing are crucial, such as in UI development, debugging, or prototyping. It is particularly valuable in frameworks like React Native, Flutter, or modern JavaScript toolchains (e.g., with Webpack or Vite) to enhance productivity by reducing downtime during development cycles.