In React, prop drilling is a common technique used to pass data from a parent component to its deeply nested child components. This process involves passing props down through multiple layers of components until the desired child component receives it. While prop drilling can be effective for small and simple app structures, it can lead to complexity and performance issues as the app grows.

Prop drilling can add unnecessary code and re-rendering cycles, especially when working with large volumes of data. However, there are alternative approaches that can help avoid these issues. The Context API in React allows components to share data directly without passing props through every level of the component tree. State management libraries like Redux, MobX, and Zustand provide a centralized store for application data, eliminating the need for deep prop passing. Higher-Order Components (HOCs) can also help by wrapping components with additional functionality and data.

As developers, it's essential to consider these alternatives when dealing with deeply nested components to ensure maintainable and efficient codebases.

Source: https://dev.to/ericlefyson/prop-drilling-in-react-definition-and-examples-1395