React JS is a tool that can help you learn more about coding and if you are thinking of becoming a web developer. What is React? What is React? How can you use it and why?
React JS doesn’t use the same coding language as CSS or Python. It’s completely different.
This article will help you understand React JS, and how it can be an important part of your toolkit as a web developer. The following topics will be covered:
What is ReactJS?
What is React used to do?
React’s main components and features
React: Why you should use it
React JS: The best way to learn it
Let’s get started!
What is React JS (React JavaScript), and how can it be used?
You need to know a little bit about JavaScript in order to understand React JS. This is what ‘JS’ stands to, after all!
JavaScript is the programming language that allows for interaction between a website you create and the computer of the visitor to the site. We have a full article on JavaScript. JavaScript allows you to make changes to any part of a website from its visual appearance to how it relays information to users.
Developers created libraries of JavaScript functions to store the information required to complete tasks. React JS is one such library – and it’s very strong!
What is React used for?
React JS is a JavaScript library that can be used to build user interfaces (UIs), for single-page applications. React manages the view layer. It is used to develop both mobile and web applications.
React was created by Jordan Walke, a Facebook developer. It is one of the most popular libraries due to its open source nature. More than 1000 web developers have contributed to this robust library. It’s so popular that it’s the preferred library for Uber, Instagram, Amazon and Twitter as well as more than 8700 other top-ranking companies and brands in the industry.
The Main React Features
React is not only an open-source program but also has many features that make it a vital part of your web development toolkit. Here are some of the most useful features of React:
JSX (Javascript Syntax Extension).
JSX is a syntax extension that can be used in conjunction with JavaScript. It allows developers to add simple descriptions that look like HTML templates. JSX can look like markup and be so simple that it almost looks like a template language. It functions with all the power of JavaScript.
VDOM (Virtual Document Object Model).
Virtual DOM is a powerful tool. However, before this application was created, any change to the interface code had to be rewritten. This took a long time and caused slow load speeds and a slow interface. A VDOM allows you to create a virtual representation (or a replica) of the actual UI. The VDOM compares any changes made to the UI and makes adjustments to the DOM where necessary. This makes the application run much faster and doesn’t waste memory.
The Main React Components
React components are another reason why developers flock to React. React JS is a simple library that focuses on simple component design. Components can be compared to Lego bricks. You can make something very simple or use simple designs to build things that are more complicated.
React allows you to write code as either a class, or a function.
React Class Components
React’s class components are the basis of most modern apps. These components are simple classes that contain functions that add utility to the app.
React Functional Components
React functional components can be described as JavaScript functions that are used in React JS. You can create your own functional component by writing a JavaScript function.
React: Why use it?
Now that you have a better understanding of React JS, can you learn how to use it? There are many great reasons to learn React.
It’s popular because of a reason. Actually, there are many reasons it’s so popular! Here are the top reasons to learn React and make use of it in your web development.
React is easy to learn – If JavaScript is well understood, you can quickly learn React. This can revolutionize the way you design and create content on the internet.
Flexible – Once React is learned, you can create functions that suit your needs. React is extremely flexible and can be customized to appear, feel and react exactly as you want.
Performance – With functions like VDOM, you can optimize the performance of your apps and websites without sacrificing memory.
Data Binding – React uses unidirectional flow of data. This means that information only flows in one direction from parent to child components. React functions are now much more stable because of this.