What is React: A Beginner’s Guide to Key Concepts and Keywords

One of the most popular JavaScript libraries today, React, can make the web development process more efficient. In this guide, you will explore the core concepts of React and gain a better understanding of the possibilities this powerful tool offers.

Definition and History of React

React is a JavaScript library developed by Facebook and released as open source in 2013. Designed to make the creation of user interfaces easier, React offers a component-based architecture. Initially developed for Facebook’s internal needs, the library quickly gained popularity and was adopted by a wide community.

React especially facilitates the development of Single Page Applications (SPAs). Thanks to its virtual DOM structure and component-based architecture, it improves application performance and offers developers a more flexible working environment.

Core Concepts of React: Components, JSX, and Virtual DOM

To understand the basics of React, it's important to grasp concepts such as components, JSX, and the Virtual DOM.

• Components: Everything in React is made up of components. Components are small, independent, and reusable parts of the user interface. Each component can have its own logic and state.
• JSX: JavaScript XML (JSX) is a special syntax used to define the appearance of React components. It provides an HTML-like structure, making it easier to integrate JavaScript with HTML.
• Virtual DOM: Instead of interacting directly with the real DOM, React uses a virtual DOM. This structure minimizes changes to the real DOM, improving performance. Thanks to the virtual DOM, only necessary changes are reflected in the real DOM.

First React Project: Installation and Setup Steps

Before getting started with React, it’s important to set up the right development environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a React project:

1. Install Node.js and npm: Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) are required for React projects. You can download and install them from the official Node.js website.
2. Create React App: One of the easiest ways to create a React project is by using the 'Create React App' tool developed by Facebook. Run the following command in your terminal or command line to create a new React app:

   npx create-react-app my-first-project

3. Run the Project: After the project is created, navigate to the project folder and run the following command to start the project:

   cd my-first-project
   npm start

Now, your React project is running, and the default application screen will open in your browser.

State and Props in React: Managing State and Features

In React, managing state and props is crucial for controlling component interactions and data flow.

• State: State is a set of data that a component manages internally. State holds data related to the component’s condition and ensures the component re-renders when changes occur.
• Props: Props are data passed to components from the outside. They are used to share data between components and generally represent static data.

State and props simplify data management in React applications and help organize the data flow between components.

The React Ecosystem: Libraries and Tools

React's power comes from its large and rich ecosystem. Here are some libraries and tools commonly used in React projects:

• React Router: A library used to manage routing in single-page applications. It allows users to navigate to different components through different URLs.
• Redux: Provides centralized state management for applications. It’s used to simplify state management in complex applications.
• Axios: A library used to handle HTTP requests. It is commonly used for interacting with APIs.
• Styled-components: A library for adding styles to React components. By adopting the CSS-in-JS approach, it makes it easy to define component-specific styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed React?

React was developed by Facebook and released as open source for the community in 2013.

What’s the difference between React and Angular?

React is a library used for building user interfaces, whereas Angular is a full-fledged JavaScript framework. React follows a component-based architecture, while Angular uses the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture.

Why is the Virtual DOM used?

The virtual DOM is used to reduce the cost of manipulating the real DOM. This structure ensures that only necessary changes are reflected in the real DOM, improving performance.

What should I know before learning React?

Before learning React, it's important to have a basic understanding of JavaScript. Knowledge of HTML and CSS will also be helpful.

Why is Node.js required to use React?

Node.js provides the npm package management system required for React projects. It is also used to run a local server during the development environment.