With the launch of different frameworks and libraries each day, it is getting harder to keep track of which is better and when to use what. The web development industry is rapidly advancing, and so are the tools used to build these websites.
React JS is one such tool whose popularity has skyrocketed in the last few years, and rightly so! It not only revolutionized the field of front-end development, but it also allowed developers to express their creativity freely without having to worry about the project’s increased complexity.
Continue reading to gain further insight about when to use React JS and why!
What is React JS?
React, which was created by Jordan Walke in 2011, has grown to become one of the most widely used development frameworks, and a lot of businesses now list it as their production default.
The framework was initially developed to support Facebook but was later adopted by several big companies. It is an open-source JavaScript library designed to make the complex process of creating interactive user interfaces easier to understand.
At its core, React focuses on the component-based approach, where the UI is broken down into reusable and independent pieces called components. These components manage their own state, allowing developers to create complex UIs by composing these components together. It also encourages the use of JSX (JavaScript XML), an extension that helps mix HTML-like syntax within JavaScript, making it easier to write and understand the structure of components.
Moreover, it utilizes DOM (Document Object Model), which enhances performance by minimizing direct manipulation of the actual DOM. Rather, React builds a virtual DOM representation in memory and updates only the relevant portions when changes occur. As a result, react apps are more rapid and efficient.
When should you use React JS for web development?
Knowing when to use what can save a lot of time and effort, and it is no different for React. There are a few key factors that might help you come to the decision of whether your project requires the use of React or not.
Front-end heavy projects
If your project focuses more on UI, then React is the way to go. React uses a component-based architecture that enables you to track and change individual components in response to actions performed by users, such as using dropdowns and navigation menus. Therefore, it significantly enhances the development procedure for a system’s UI.
Moreover, not only does it give you access to reusable components, but it also makes the code maintainable and allows you to handle data flow efficiently.
Large scale applications
React is suitable for large applications as it facilitates modular development and provides easier maintenance of an extensive codebase. Development of large-scale applications usually requires an increased amount of flexibility and scalability, which is supported by React JS through the numerous tools it gives you access to, including React and Redux Developer Tools.
Although React is suitable, success in any project relies on factors such as informed utilization of tools and good architectural practices.
DOM management
By leveraging the virtual DOM, React minimizes direct manipulation of the actual DOM, which can be costly in terms of performance. The virtual DOM acts as a lightweight representation of the actual DOM, allowing React to track changes efficiently.
When state changes occur, React compares the virtual DOM with the real DOM, identifying the differences, and then selectively updates only the necessary parts of the actual DOM. This approach optimizes UI component updates, ensuring that changes are applied swiftly without causing delays in user interactions. Therefore, React is best for interaction-heavy projects.
Why should you use React JS for web development?
Now that you have learned what React JS is and when to use it in your projects, it is time to learn the benefits of using React JS or, rather, why you should use React JS for development.
Easy to learn and use
First things first, the React library is incredibly simple and easy to use. React follows a component-based approach, which is easy to figure out and implement, eliminating the need for longer training and learning periods. It also simplifies development as you can focus on building and managing individual components without worrying too much about the entire application’s complexity.
One of the main things that drew developers to React was its simplicity—all you needed to use it was a basic understanding of JavaScript, and even that was not always required. Developers were drawn to the smooth workflow, contributing to the language’s extensive popularity.
Increased flexibility and compatibility
React offers increased flexibility and compatibility in almost every aspect. It is also referred to as a library rather than a framework, which provides developers with the flexibility to choose additional libraries and tools according to their project needs. It can be integrated easily into existing codebases without enforcing a specific project structure.
React can also be integrated seamlessly with other libraries and frameworks, such as Redux for state management, React Router for routing, and many more. This interoperability allows developers to leverage the strengths of various tools while using React as the UI layer.
React enables component part rendering on the server with the help of tools like Next.js. React.js can also create 360-degree experiences with React VR and virtual reality websites.
Component reusability
React is all about components, and it is this unique component-based approach that makes React what it is. Apart from enhancing reusability, this modular structure also simplifies development by allowing you to focus on individual components rather than the whole application.
As a React application grows, it often follows a hierarchical structure with components nested within higher-level ones. Each component operates independently with its own dedicated logic and rendering approach, which offers exceptional scalability, promotes consistency across the React web app, and simplifies ongoing support and optimization efforts.
Availability of extensive toolset
The availability of an extensive toolset is another reason why you should use React JS. It offers an arsenal of tools that significantly enhance a developer’s workflow and efficiency. For example, JFX simplifies the creation of React components by blending JavaScript with HTML-like syntax, making code more readable and intuitive.
Other tools provided by React include the React Developer Tools browser extension, Redux Developer Tools for state management, and React Router for managing routing and navigation.
Unique development experience
React is developer-friendly, as it considerably reduces the developer’s headache of managing many things at once. Its reusability, scalability, and flexibility are just a few of the several features it provides to support a smooth and easy workflow. It also makes the process of creating intricate user interfaces easier by enabling the writing of cleaner, more readable code.
Vast community support
React.js boasts a vibrant and expansive developer community, fostering an environment of continuous support and evolution. This robust community actively contributes to the framework’s growth by providing extensive assistance, refining documentation, and expanding functionalities.
Consequently, React.js benefits from an ever-growing repository of resources, tutorials, and open-source projects, empowering developers with plenty of information. This collaboration not only improves the framework’s features but also facilitates the development process by offering a diverse range of tools and best practices.
SEO friendly
You may wonder, ‘How can a framework or library help in SEO optimization.’ Nowadays, everything revolves around ranking better on search engines like Google. React helps push that rank by decreasing load time, which enables websites and pages to take the top spot on SERPs.
Moreover, by employing SSR, React addresses the challenge of initial page load content being primarily JavaScript-driven, ensuring that search engines receive fully formed HTML content, thereby improving the website’s SEO performance.
React Native – an additional power tool
If you are looking to dive into that cross-platform jizz and want to develop applications for Android and iOS, then you can easily switch from React JS to React Native. It is a powerful addition to React’s ecosystem, which enables the development of mobile applications using React’s component-based architecture.
React Native bridges the gap between native and hybrid mobile app development. It compiles components to native modules, resulting in high performance and near-native user experiences.
When to avoid using React JS?
React JS can be used for various projects depending on the project’s needs. But in some circumstances, you should avoid using React JS in favor of something more appropriate.
Simple static websites or projects where minimal interactivity is required might not benefit from the usage of React JS as its overhead might add unnecessary complexity. Instead, you can use traditional HTML/CSS for these websites.
Moreover, if your team is new to front-end development or lacks experience with JavaScript, then you may want to avoid using React JS. While React does support quicker development, we do not recommend using React if you are working on tight deadlines.
Why does Codesy use React for front-end heavy projects?
Codesy realizes the benefits that React JS provides in terms of development and management, which is why React JS is one of the major frameworks being utilized at the organization for numerous different projects. Developers at Codesy are not only proficient in JavaScript but also make extensive use of the language’s frameworks.
The popularity of the framework within the organization can be attributed to the emphasis that Codesy’s clientele places on using React JS for both web and mobile projects.
