Navigation between videos with Next and Previous buttons in React

You have successfully created a simple video player project in React that plays automatically. But to improve the user experience, you want to implement Next and Previous Buttons. These buttons allow users to quickly navigate between Videos. In this guide, you will learn step by step how to add this functionality and why it is advantageous to move common code into functions to avoid redundancy.

Key Takeaways

• Implementing navigation buttons improves the user experience.
• Reusable functions help avoid code duplication.
• Proper event handling allows users to intuitively access the videos.

Step-by-Step Guide

First, let's see how you can integrate the Next and Previous Buttons into your existing React app.

1. Prepare the Buttons

Start by creating the necessary buttons in your component. You can use Unicode characters to display attractive arrows that make navigation easier.

2. Create Functions for Video Navigation

Now it's time to implement the logic behind the buttons. You should create a function that allows jumping to a specific video. You can use the skipVideo function, which expects two parameters: the increment and the video list.

3. Extract Function Definitions

To improve the maintainability of your code, it is advisable to extract the navigation logic. You can achieve this by defining the skipVideo function outside your rendering method. In doing so, you pass the necessary parameters to the function to perform the navigation.

4. Assign Button Handlers

Now you assign event listeners to the buttons that call the skipVideo function when clicked. Make sure to pass the correct parameter for each button: -1 for the Previous Button and +1 for the Next Button.

5. Test the Functionality

After implementing all the functions, it's essential to test your app. Play a video and test the buttons to ensure that the navigation works as intended and there are no errors.

6. Finishing Touches

Optionally, you can add additional features to the interface, such as volume control or jumping directly to a specific video in the list. This enhances the user experience and requires only minor adjustments to your existing code.

Summary

By implementing Next and Previous Buttons, you have significantly enhanced the user experience in the video player. You have learned the importance of outsourcing functions and avoiding redundant code. Now you are ready to apply these techniques to your future projects.