React JS is a free and open-source JavaScript library, developed by Facebook (Meta). It allows developers to build user interfaces based on UI components for websites and web applications. The popularity of the library isn’t really surprising since it has such amazing extensions as virtual DOMs and JSX. Moreover, Instagram was written entirely in React, which boosted the library’s recognition even more.
If you’re wondering what specifically React is meant for, you’re on the right track. To understand how it can be beneficial for you, it’s better to look at its main features in greater detail. As a React JS agency, Ester Digital is ready to share all the necessary information with you in this article. Let’s get started!
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When to use React JS
There is no definite list of cases in which one can turn to React, as it may be utilized in completely different scenarios. We already know it’s good for sites as well as web applications, but that’s not all of it.
As a rule, the general audience wants to see fast, dynamic, and responsive web pages. Web developers go for up-to-date and flexible environments. React can offer a solution that will satisfy everyone and help people create far more complex products.
It is perfect for websites that heavily rely on user interaction with the elements, especially when the state of some of them changes. For example, visitors can log in and out, or there can be hidden interactive navigation. Another smart choice will be websites with an intricate structure. Normally, they are harder to monitor by applying traditional methods and tools. React has no such problem — it provides you with the opportunity to easily keep track of all the needed interactions.
5 reasons stating why use React JS
Since the library’s deployment in 2011, a lot of companies have appreciated its benefits. As analytics service Libscore claims, React is being used on the web pages of Imgur, Airbnb, SeatGeek, Netflix, Hellosign, Feedly, and many others. But what makes it so appealing? We’re going to find out right now.
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You only need basic programming knowledge to learn it
Unlike many other libraries, React is lightweight and merely deals with the view layer of a page. If you have at least some understanding of HTML and CSS, it shouldn’t be that hard for you to learn.
Of course, you’ll have to adapt to it in case you’re more familiar with other frameworks or libraries, but that is usually not a big problem. Besides, you can easily find extensive documentation online that will allow you to grasp the basics faster.
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It’s flexible and compatible
From simple labels to unique interactive features, React is meant to help you create any possible interface. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to reuse your knowledge across multiple platforms.
For instance, React developers can come up with desktop solutions, build mobile applications (via React Native), manage server rendering, create static websites, and so much more. They can also integrate advanced tech concepts such as VR or 360 views with web solutions, following clear guidelines.
Also read: How to Use a One Line If Statement in Python
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Virtual DOMs
The Document Object Model (or DOM) is an application programming interface (API) for HTML and XML documents. When a web browser creates a DOM-like model, it sees each HTML code element as a node in the DOM tree. If there are any changes, it has to be rendered again, which takes a lot of effort.
With Virtual DOM, React simply creates the needed copy and ensures the tree is getting updated without any delays or errors. It minimizes the number of updates and improves read-and-write time, which positively influences the overall performance. Consequently, this feature makes web developers’ lives easier and ensures the application becomes faster and extra responsive.
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JSX
JSX (or JavaScript XML) is a great React extension, which is basically a syntax extension for JavaScript. It was initially developed by Facebook to extend HTML structures’ functionalities into JavaScript.
The best thing about JSX is that after its employment, you’ll have no need to set apart HTML and JS codes. With React, you’ll be able to apply HTML syntax right in JavaScript code, and browsers will decode HTML documents to display the user interface.
Due to JSX, it’s easier to improve the performance and efficiency of web applications and make them work faster. Other frameworks and libraries can be successfully utilized with JSX as well.
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Rapid development workflow & efficient debugging
There is another explanation why so many web developers choose React, and it’s the library’s smooth, hassle-free workflow. Unlike frameworks such as Angular and Vue, it has no barrage of extra HTML attributes and can provide you with extremely clean, easily readable, and exhaustive code.
React can also boast excellent debugging and error-checking since its unidirectional data binding allows you to have data access control. Convenient, isn’t it?
All in all, React is a powerful tool used to build front-end interfaces and mobile applications. It’s simple, clean, and efficient, which is vital for those who work with dynamic interfaces full of interactive elements. So, there’s nothing unexpected about its ever-growing popularity.
In this article, we have listed the main reasons why it’s worth trying out React JS for web development. However, we understand that sometimes it’s hard to make the right choice. So, if you have any questions or need some help, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of professionals. We’re always here for you.