Nearly three-quarters of front-end developers work with React.js.
And, according to the Stack Overflow 2019 survey, it’s the most loved and wanted web framework out there.
But what is React JS? And do you even need it?
Created by Facebook engineer Jordan Walke, React.js is a revolutionary javascript library that allows developers to have risk-free hands-on access to user interaction (UI) processes.
Needless to say, it’s kind of a big deal.
Stay tuned for a beginner’s guide to understanding React.js and what it can do for you.
What Is React JS?
Let’s go ahead and get the complicated answer out of the way.
React.js is a front-end javascript library specifically designed for User Interaction (UI) on dynamic Single Page Applications (SPA).
Now that’s done, let’s break it down:
- As a refresher for those who know, or info for those who don’t, front-end refers to the client-facing part of programming (i.e., the stuff they see).
- Javascript libraries are nice little packages of code that do specific actions that developers can then plug and chug into their programs when needed, instead of having to re-write the code. every. single. time.
- SPA are web applications that operate off a browser and don’t require the page to be reloaded during use (think Facebook or Gmail).
- Dynamic web content is the content on websites that generate data in real-time (e.g., websites with animation or interactive forms).
Why Do Developers Use It?
So we know React.js deals specifically with what the user sees and that it goes hand in hand with SPA, applications that operate off a browser creating a single page that users interact with, but what is the use of React JS in all of this?
React.js is what allows independent parts of the web page to refresh/load/operate without affecting the entire page. It allows for specialized dynamic actions to take place on a web page.
For example, imagine you’re online shopping. You add an item to your cart, but instead of taking you immediately to your cart, it allows you to keep shopping while simultaneously updating the number of items in your cart.
That’s React.js.
React.js is the technology that allows for parts of a web page to act independently without negatively interfering with the UI.
Can you see now why companies and developers are going crazy over this? It completely revolutionized the whole UI experience.
Better UI=happy clients=more shopping=higher profit.
React.js uses two components to achieve this: JSX and Virtual DOM.
JavaScript eXstension
On the journey to the center of a website, you will find basic HTML script, that’s a fact. It’s what the computer reads in order to know what to display on the web page.
It’s during this process, when the computer is reading the HTML script, that it creates a Document Object Model (DOM). DOM is the representational tree of how the website will look.
It’s from this point that developers can then add dynamic content through languages like JavaScript.
JSX (JavaScript eXstension) is really a React.js extension that makes it easier for developers to modify their DOM. Plus, it works on ALL web browsers, so your work works anywhere!
The real golden ticket though is how JSX allows for massive performance as well as development efficiency.
It’s all in the Virtual DOM.
Virtual DOM
When using JSX to work on the DOM, it creates a copy or a virtual version of the DOM on which it can manipulate and better see what actually needs to be done.
Think back to the shopping cart: React.js scans the Virtual DOM to see what function is happening (adding item to the shopping cart) and can then selectively update that part only (the shopping bag).
This process is practically necessary for dynamic websites as the heavy user interaction would become problematic if the site refreshed every time the user did anything.
The result is less computing power and less loading time.
It Does Other Stuff Too
It’s not only about the money and users, though. React.js has changed the industry from the developer’s point of view as well.
Understandability
Because of React.js being a library (remember a nice little package of coding), it takes away the unnecessary need to deal with “raw” code. A very difficult thing to do, which makes becoming a front-end developer an easier goal for upcoming graduates and even career-switchers.
It also makes for a cleaner abstraction (i.e., it hides away unnecessary language from the developer, making it easier to modify and work with).
Efficiency
Making front-end development easier also means making front-end development quicker.
Easier code development equals increased application development time. That means more websites and apps being launched, and businesses being built faster.
Should You Use React.js?
The next question is, should you use React on your next project?
In case it is not obvious enough:
YES!
All signs point towards React.js being around for a while, so you can learn and implement this tool without fear of it becoming outdated any time soon.
And with more and more companies migrating to this technology, it becomes safer and more adaptive as time goes on.
It’s also a tool that can be used by junior and senior developers alike, due to its malleable nature.
The only time React.js wouldn’t be beneficial is if it’s being applied to something data-heavy, in which case the application shouldn’t be on a SPA anyways.
The Future of React and You
Now that you’ve read over an official beginner’s guide and know the answer to “What is React JS?”, the only thing left to do is learn it!
Remember, React.js is praised for its ease of use and understanding. This is the time for any and everyone who wants to get into Tech to do so.
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