What Is React JS and Why Use It? - CoinNav.io

Choosing to transition into the tech industry as a coding specialist marks the beginning of an exciting journey that you are embarking on. After conducting thorough research, you've decided to focus on building websites and web apps, as it appears to be beginner-friendly and highly sought-after, making it an appealing path for you to pursue.

You are already aware that learning HTML and CSS are the foundational skills you need to master, and JavaScript follows suit in your learning journey. To ensure you acquire the necessary knowledge to secure a position in the field, you peruse a few job boards and job offers, completing your to-do list.

As you review the job offers, you notice a new skill emerging: React JS. Questions arise - is it another programming language, or perhaps a coding software? What is its purpose, and where is it used? What exactly is React JS?

In this article, I aim to answer these questions, providing insights into this popular library, its key features, advantages, and examples of projects built using React JS. By the end, you will have a better understanding of whether learning React JS aligns with your goals, helping you choose between a career path as a web developer or front-end developer.

Let's delve into the world of React JS!

 

What is React JS?

React JS is an open-source, component-based JavaScript library designed specifically for building user interfaces, especially for single-page applications. It is currently one of the most popular JavaScript libraries used for front-end development. Initially created by Facebook developers in 2011, React JS was first utilized in the Facebook app. Over the years, it has garnered a massive community of supporters and abundant learning resources.

Before delving into React JS, let's clarify the concept of a JavaScript library and its purpose.

JavaScript is a programming language used to create dynamic elements on websites or web applications. Almost all modern web browsers support JavaScript, and it plays a crucial role in implementing various features like form validation, advanced animations, popups, and more. JavaScript is commonly employed for building web applications and pages with client-side scripting.

A JavaScript library, on the other hand, is pre-written JavaScript code that simplifies and accelerates the development of applications. It consists of reusable components, functions, and patterns that can be employed to accomplish specific programming tasks. Often, using a JavaScript library helps improve application security and efficiency. JavaScript libraries and frameworks are utilized to reduce the amount of manual coding and lower the overall cost of app development, as many libraries are open-source and free.

With that context in mind, let's return to React JS and explore its uses and reasons for its widespread popularity.

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ReactJS features

Before the advent of React JS, developers used jQuery or plain JavaScript to create the user interface (UI). However, each developer had their own way of coding in the vanilla programming language, which sometimes resulted in numerous bugs and challenges for newcomers in the team. By adopting a library like React JS, development can be better organized and further benefits can be harnessed through its distinctive features. Let's delve into these features:

1. Virtual DOM:

Traditional JavaScript DOM manipulation involves re-rendering the entire DOM object every time any change is made to HTML elements. This approach is suitable for static websites with limited interactions, as the performance impact is minimal. However, dynamic web applications with extensive user interactions suffer from performance issues and slow down significantly.

To address this problem, React JS introduced the concept of Virtual DOM. When changes are made in the DOM, React JS creates a copy, known as the Virtual DOM. This copy is then compared with the actual DOM, and only the differing elements are re-rendered. As a result, this approach reduces computing power requirements and loading times, leading to improved performance.

2. JSX:

In React JS, JSX (JavaScript XML) is used to create templates instead of using pure HTML. JSX is a JavaScript extension that allows developers to use HTML-like syntax within their JavaScript code, simplifying the creation of templates for React JS components.

3. React Native:

One of the remarkable aspects of using React JS is its close integration with React Native, a technology used to develop front-ends for mobile applications. React Native provides a rich library of pre-built components for both iOS and Android platforms. By mastering and employing React JS, developers can easily transition to React Native and create native mobile applications.

In summary, React JS is an influential JavaScript library for building interactive and efficient user interfaces, especially in single-page applications. Its Virtual DOM feature optimizes rendering performance, JSX enhances code readability and maintainability, and its seamless integration with React Native allows for mobile app development as well. As a result, React JS has become a favored choice for many developers and businesses seeking to create modern and responsive web applications.

 

Prominent Projects Utilizing ReactJS

ReactJS has gained immense popularity not only for startups but also for major corporations that employ this technology for their substantial projects. Let's explore some of the most renowned apps created with ReactJS:

1. Facebook
2. Instagram
3. Netflix
4. The New York Times
5. Dropbox
6. Yahoo! Mail

These notable examples demonstrate that ReactJS is extensively utilized in large-scale projects, which contributes to its widespread popularity.

 

Advantages of Learning and Using ReactJS

Now that we have provided a brief overview of ReactJS and its key features, let's discuss whether it's worth learning and utilizing. With numerous open-source libraries and frameworks available for front-end development, choosing the right one may seem overwhelming.

For aspiring front-end developers, learning ReactJS is undoubtedly beneficial. Every task requires the right tools to achieve success, and in the realm of creating user interfaces (UIs), React JS emerges as an excellent choice since it primarily functions as a UI library.

React is a framework with a low entry barrier and a relatively gentle learning curve, making it beginner-friendly. Its vast community and abundant learning resources enhance its competitiveness as an ideal starting point. Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will facilitate the learning process, enabling swift creation of impressive Single Page Applications.

Moreover, React JS offers promising career prospects, as numerous job opportunities in the market require React developers. It stands out as one of the most sought-after technologies in the front-end domain, making it a valuable skill to showcase on your CV. The high demand for React expertise ensures its relevance and potential for a successful career path.

 

Conclusion