Tutorials » React

What is React.js

React is a javascript library for creating user interfaces. It was created at Facebook in the year 2011.
Official documentation for react describes it as

A Javascript Library for building User Interfaces.

React being a Javascript library means applications created in react run in web browser. Phrase “for building User Interfaces” means that it can only be used to create view layer of an application.

Relationship with JavaScript

While you may have heard of React.js, you might still be wondering what it is and how it relates to JavaScript.
Simply put, React.js is a JavaScript library used for building user interfaces.
It’s not a framework, but rather a view layer that helps you create reusable UI components.
As a JavaScript library, React.js is built on top of JavaScript and uses its syntax and features to create dynamic and interactive user interfaces.

React.js is designed to work seamlessly with JavaScript, allowing you to leverage your existing JavaScript knowledge to build powerful and scalable applications.
By using React.js, you can create fast, responsive, and engaging user interfaces that provide an exceptional user experience.

Evolution Of React

React.js was first developed by Jordan Walke, a software engineer at Facebook, in 2011.
Initially, it was called “FaxJS” and was used internally at Facebook to power the company’s newsfeed feature.

Later, in 2013, Facebook open-sourced React.js, making it available to the wider developer community.
Since then, React.js has undergone significant changes and updates, with new features and improvements being added regularly.

What’s remarkable about React.js is its rapid adoption and growth within the web development community.
Today, it’s one of the most popular JavaScript libraries, used by companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix, as well as countless startups and individual developers around the world.

Key Features and Benefits of Using React

Assuming you’re interested in learning more about React.js, let’s take a closer look at its key features and benefits.

React.js offers a range of features that make it an attractive choice for building modern web applications. Some of the key features include:

• Component-based architecture
  Break down your application into smaller, reusable components.
• Virtual DOM
  Improve performance by updating a virtual representation of your UI, rather than the actual DOM.
• Declarative coding style
  Focus on what you want to see in your UI, rather than how to achieve it.
• One-way data binding
  Ensure your UI stays up-to-date with the latest data changes.
• Extensive ecosystem
  Leverage a vast array of third-party libraries and tools to enhance your development experience.

Recognizing the benefits of using React.js, you’ll be able to build faster, more efficient, and more scalable applications that provide an exceptional user experience.

Plus, with React.js, you’ll be able to reuse components across your application, reducing code duplication and making maintenance a breeze.
Additionally, React.js’s virtual DOM ensures that your application remains fast and responsive, even with complex and dynamic UIs.

Why Use React?

The popularity of React.js has been growing exponentially since its release in 2013, and it’s not hard to see why.
As a developer, you’re likely looking for a framework that makes building fast, scalable, and maintainable user interfaces easy and efficient.

React is currently one of the most learnt and sought after technology in terms of usage and job market. Having it in your skill set will definitely increase your demand as a web developer.

React lets you break the user interface into small pieces called components. These components can be re-used across the application which makes application development and maintenance very easier.

Also, it uses JSX(JavaScript Syntax Extension) to create web elements which makes application development easier. Though it is not mandatory to use JSX but react supports it.

Advantages of Using React

One of the main advantages of using React is its ability to efficiently update and render components when the state changes.
This is achieved through the virtual DOM, a lightweight in-memory representation of your application’s UI.
When the state changes, React updates the virtual DOM, and then efficiently updates the real DOM by comparing the two and only making the necessary changes.
This approach reduces the number of DOM mutations, resulting in faster and more efficient rendering.

Furthermore, React’s component-based architecture allows you to break down your application into smaller, reusable components.
This makes it easier to manage complexity, reuse code, and collaborate with others.
You can also easily integrate React with other libraries and frameworks, making it a versatile tool for building a wide range of applications.

Common Use Cases for React

An ideal candidate for React is a complex, data-driven application with a rich user interface.
React shines when building applications that require frequent updates, such as real-time analytics dashboards, social media feeds, or live updates.
Its ability to efficiently handle state changes and updates makes it an excellent choice for applications that require a high level of interactivity.

Additionally, React is well-suited for building complex UI components, such as data grids, charts, and graphs.
Its component-based architecture makes it easy to break down complex UIs into smaller, reusable components, making it easier to manage complexity and maintain your application.

Common examples of applications that can benefit from using React include single-page applications, progressive web apps, and mobile applications. Its versatility and flexibility make it an excellent choice for building a wide range of applications, from simple web pages to complex enterprise-level applications.

Comparison with Other Front-end Frameworks and Libraries

Framework/Library	Key Features
React	Component-based architecture, Virtual DOM, Declarative coding style
Angular	Full-fledged framework, Opinionated, Two-way data binding
Vue.js	Progressive framework, Flexible, Ecosystem-focused
Ember.js	Opinionated framework, Convention-over-configuration, Strong emphasis on convention

React, unlike other frameworks and libraries, focuses solely on the view layer, making it a more lightweight and flexible solution.
Its component-based architecture and virtual DOM make it an excellent choice for building fast, scalable, and maintainable user interfaces.
While other frameworks and libraries may offer more comprehensive solutions, React’s flexibility and versatility make it an attractive choice for many developers.

It’s worth noting that React is not a full-fledged framework like Angular or Ember.js, but rather a library that can be used in conjunction with other libraries and frameworks.
This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for building a wide range of applications, from simple web pages to complex enterprise-level applications.