Hot Module Replacement
Hot Module Replacement (HMR) is a development feature that allows modules to be updated in a running application without requiring a full page reload. It enables developers to see changes to code, styles, or assets immediately in the browser while preserving the application state, such as form inputs or component data. This is commonly implemented in build tools and frameworks to enhance the developer experience during development.
Developers should use HMR to speed up development workflows by eliminating the need to manually refresh the browser after each code change, which saves time and reduces context switching. It is particularly useful in frontend development with frameworks like React or Vue.js, where maintaining state during updates is crucial for testing interactive features. HMR also aids in debugging by allowing incremental changes without losing application state.