What can be done with ReactJS?
There are hardly any programmers who have not heard about React. This is a popular library, all of whose code is in the public domain. A powerful developed community helps to cope with complexities faster, especially when it comes to complex projects. Despite all the advantages, this tool has features that in some cases can become cons. To prevent this from happening, you need to understand when React is needed, where its use is appropriate, and where it is not. In this overview article, we will look at what React is and what it is used for.
MVC framework is an application data separation scheme, which stands for Model-View-Controller. An example of such a construct would be Angular, but React is just "V". It is responsible for displaying model data to the user and responding to model changes. Model and Controller, however, must be provided by other means. That is, the development of web applications cannot take place exclusively on react.
Why do programmers love React so much?
We will compare two of the top three most popular technologies - React and Angular (there is also Vue). Working with the first one is about describing what needs to be displayed on the page, and not forming instructions aimed at explaining to the browser how to do it. This feature makes the code more compact and reduces the number of boilerplate parts needed to create a site.
When a programmer starts development, he does not need to use a boilerplate code generator, as happens in Angular - he starts writing code without unnecessary dances with a tambourine. React does not have component boilerplate generators because they are unnecessary - they can be described as pure functions. By the way, you can hire React developers here https://fireart.studio/hire-reactjs-developers/
The use of JSX syntax that plays like native and familiar HTML. This reduces the barrier to entry, since the React developer does not need to learn fundamentally new things.
If you look at the learning curve, it is noticeable that learning React at the initial stage is easier than Angular. It is realistic to start quickly due to fewer abstractions. If a programmer knows JS, he can literally figure out how to write his first React JS application in just a day. But this does not mean that the tasks will be completed without errors. At the stage of improving skills, angular is easier. However, those who choose react can postpone learning TypeScript, developing command line skills and directives for later - this is necessary for using angular even at the initial level.
- One-way data binding allows you to determine the causes of changes / errors at a glance, which significantly speeds up debugging.
- There is no mandatory binding to classes, which makes the code easier. Interface components can be expressed as sets of pure functions.
- If you are interested in a comparison with the third popular technology, you can read our other material - What is better than React or Vue.
What is React used for?
A lot of things can be done with React js - both large projects with a complex structure, and something modest. Startup projects are often written on it, since it is easier to achieve payback with this tool than with Angular.
Notable React projects:
- Facebook. It uses React partially, but also in the desktop version and in the mobile application.
- Instagram. In such a popular application, the react plays a huge role. From the ability to determine the geolocation to the accuracy of the search functionality, these things are often done in React.
- Netflix. Most actively used on the Gibbon platform. The main function is the ability to adjust the settings for TVs with low performance. The library helps speed up loading and improve performance - that's where the programmers knew exactly what React js was for.
- Yahoo! Mail. Thanks to Facebook, these services have become streamlined in terms of architecture. It took a lot of updates to get to where we wanted to be: easy debugging, low adoption, independently deployable components. React suited them because of a number of its properties: one-way data flow, the ability to use a virtual DOM, an active community.
- WhatsApp - the specialists of this service decided to use React to create user interfaces.
Dropbox. In the wake of the popularity of the library, it began to be used for this site as well.
There is also React Native. From the name it may seem that this is the same tool, but it is not. What React Native is for is to create mobile applications that are created for both popular platforms (iOS and Android) at the same time. Both versions of the app will comply with Apple and Google guidelines, while developing faster and using the same development team. Therefore, developing applications on React Native allows you to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time.
In conclusion, we recall that any tool is good for certain purposes. So is React - it has a number of advantages, but also its disadvantages. However, if the specialist knows the features and applies the tool appropriately, the disadvantages can be easily circumvented. The main thing for a developer is not to fall into fanaticism - in choosing a technology, start from the situation, tasks and needs of the client, and not from personal preferences.