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This is Maxim from the Enlight team here, and I'll be your guide throughout this publication. Today, I want to start with a question I get quite often:
"What is React, and how can I learn it?"
Before I can answer that, we have to talk a little about web development in general. It’s a fascinating space; it seems like there's a new framework every day.
However, if you're not familiar already, React.js might be the most powerful and well-known framework today (and it isn't outdated...yet!)
React.js is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces that is developed by Facebook. Since its launch, it's been used for countless web and mobile applications. It powers Instagram, Netflix, Airbnb, & other apps used by millions of people every day. The main advantage of React is that developers are able to organize and reuse code in a way that is both scalable and maintainable.
Interested in learning? If you don't know basic HTML and CSS, we recommend you to check out some projects on Enlight like this Build a Clock project. There are also many great crash courses on YouTube if that’s more your thing. Once you feel like you've got the hang of it, follow our React playbook 👇
Practice JavaScript and ES6 syntax (~2.5 hours)
Specifically, get comfortable with arrow functions, map, and filter.Create an app and write some JSX (~2 hours)
Check out create-react-app and learn how to use JSX.Events (~1 hour)
Next, add interactivity with onClick and onChange events. For some reading, scroll to Handling events in functional components in this article and go from there!Props (~2 hours)
Props, or properties, is data that is tied to your React components. A component is a modular piece of React code in your app.State (~4 hours)
Things get really interesting here. State is data which unlike props, can force components to re-render with updated data. I like this video for learning about both props and state.Bonus: useEffect
I won't say much about this one since it's a bonus but let's just say it will take your use of state to the next level — learn about hooks and useEffectThere we have it! In the next zap, I’ll include some recommendations for people to follow in this space and more. I hope to see you back here again later this week to get a buzzing start to your Sunday (go jackets! 🐝)
Maxim