What is React?

React, also called React.js or ReactJS, is a JavaScript library created by Meta (formerly Facebook). It’s mainly used to make reusable user interface (UI) components without reloading the webpage or app. It’s relatively easy to learn because you only need basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to start, which are the skills needed for front end web development. In this overview, you’ll learn about React, what it can do, who uses it, and how to learn it to help you determine how to add this skill to your professional toolbox. 

What Can You Do with React?

React is known for its uses with social media news feeds, such as Facebook and Instagram. That’s not the only use for it, though—you can use it for any online page constantly loading new components on-screen. React libraries are meant to save time by creating reusable interactive elements. They act as templates where the website or app can pull information instead of needing to access the server constantly. 

This skill is helpful for websites and apps such as Netflix, Amazon, and Uber Eats that generate new information without reloading the page. If you have aspirations to build websites or apps or work for a company that relies on them, React is an essential skill. With React in your professional toolkit, you’ll be an asset to any web or mobile development team you join. 

How Do You Download React? How Much Does it Cost?

React is a free and open-source library that’s open to the public for use and modification. JavaScript, the programming language used for React, is also free and open-source. While React is accessible through all major browsers (such as Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge), you can install it onto your Windows PC or Mac using Node.js. 

To install React on Windows, you’ll first need to ensure that Windows is updated to the current version. Once your computer is updated, you’ll need the current Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on your device and have it set to WSL 2 mode. Finally, you’ll need the most recent version of Node.js and Node Package Manager. 

To install React on Mac, you’ll need to follow similar steps to Windows. Update your Mac to the current version and download Node.js and Node Package Manager. Unlike Windows, you won’t need to worry about having Linux available. Once you’ve successfully installed these programs onto your device, you can start using React for your projects.

What Are the Benefits of Learning React?

React dramatically increases the speed of websites and apps and is an essential JavaScript library for every programming professional. Most people find React easy to learn, especially if you have a background in JavaScript. React has tremendous potential in every programmer’s career. You can use it with user interface (UI) design, web development, and mobile development. 

It’s widely supported by the online community, which you can find through the official React website. If you prefer talking to people directly, most people with experience with JavaScript have some React skills. It’ll be easy to find help when you need it. 

Read more about why you should learn React. 

React Careers

React is used by multiple fields, most notably JavaScript Developers, Mobile Developers, and Web Developers. Each has its own purpose for using React, but the main objective is to load more elements into the page without needing to refresh it completely. User Interface (UI) Designers with coding experience also benefit from learning React because React creates templates for user interface components. 

Most people who work with websites or mobile apps will find themselves in an advantageous position for using React. It’s a skill that makes these platforms run more smoothly and optimize loading time, affecting how likely your users will revisit your site or app. The faster it’s able to load new elements, the more seamless the process becomes, and the quicker the user will be able to navigate the page. While the above roles use React regularly, anyone who has an interest in coding will want to look into learning React so they can adapt it to their field. 

How to Learn React

When it comes to learning React, you’ll want to start by deciding which format you want to use for your education. Most people choose between in-person or live online; in-person React classes are the ones you’ve likely had throughout school, where you work in a distraction-free environment and the learning materials are set up for you. Live online React classes allow you to work anywhere in the world, but you’ll also work with your classes in real-time. The instructors that teach live online classes are the same ones that teach in-person classes and are all experts in their course’s subjects.

While you might want to start looking for a class, there’s a chance that you’re an incredibly busy person who has a hectic schedule. If that’s the case, try looking into some on-demand React classes in the meantime. These classes are meant to give you foundational knowledge in React and related subjects during your own time. That way, you can still progress even when you’re reprioritizing your schedule to make time for a React class with a live instructor.

You can try some free React video tutorials if you’re still building the funds before you commit to a class. The Intro to React video tutorial will walk you through the basics and give you enough information to see if you want to commit to an entire course. There’s also a web development and design playlist on YouTube that goes over other topics related to React, including user interface (UI) design, Node.js, and WordPress. When you’re ready to find a course, look through the Classes Near Me search engine to find all available in-person and live online React classes.

Read the full guide on how to learn React.

A Brief History of React

Jordan Walke, a Software Engineer at Meta, created React in 2011 to simplify how Facebook’s News Feed—a then-new feature—retrieved data from its servers. Before its implementation, Facebook relied solely on HTML5 to generate information on its mobile app. React allowed Meta to create on-page user interfaces as the user scrolled through the app without needing to call information from the server. It began seeing use on Instagram in 2012 after its success on Facebook. 

On May 29, 2013, Meta released React to the public and declared it an open-source JavaScript library. A few years later, Meta developed React Native, another React resource that uses JavaScript to create its user interface elements. Notably, it did not use HTML or CSS to perform any of its tasks, significantly increasing the mobile app’s speed. 

React Native was announced to the public in February 2015 and became open-source a month later. React and React Native have been used by countless companies over the last decade, including Fortune500 companies. Many industries now hire dedicated React Developers to maximize React’s potential for their projects, websites, and apps. React has a highly active online community, and it continues to be updated to this day. 

Comparable Programming Languages & Fields

Ideally, you’ll want to know how to use JavaScript since React is written with JavaScript’s programming language. This skill will allow you to work with React and other related resources, such as Node.js, that can enhance React’s features. JavaScript should be your first stop if you want to master React. 

User interface (UI) design, also known as UI design, connects with React’s overall purpose. Since React is made to load user interface components quickly, you’ll want to ensure those components are effective! In short, UI design will teach you how to develop and implement interface components, and React will allow the user to find and access them easily while using your site. 

Knowledge of user experience (UX) design and web design can also help. UX design uses customer feedback to inform changes to a website or app. For example, feedback can come in the form of surveys or tech support requests. If people get frustrated with an app’s loading speed or the interface elements aren’t loading correctly, UX designers will get that information and report it back to the React Developers.

Web design is commonly paired with UI and UX design since it handles website visual elements, including the components loaded with React. This field is artistic and is more closely related to graphic design and digital design than coding; if that excites your creative side, it’s worth checking out. 

Front end web development is another excellent skill since it uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as its primary programming languages. React relies on JavaScript and HTML to perform many of its tasks, and it’s useful to know front end web development because it handles the programming of everything that users can see on the website. You can also learn about back end web development or web development as a whole to become well-rounded in website creation.

If you’re interested in learning more about mobile devices, you can look into mobile development. More than half of all internet usage is through mobile devices, which means this skill is essential for creating effective websites in the long term. React is also commonly used for mobile apps, especially for those that rely on single-page interfaces.

Learn React with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has plenty of resources to help you through your React learning journey, including courses and bootcamps that will help you land that job you’ve been eager to apply for. Most of these programs feature many benefits, including expert instructors leading each course, small class sizes for individualized instruction, and free retake options if you want to review some of the topics discussed. 

One of the first options worth checking out is the React Development Bootcamp, which will teach you everything you need to know about React for your career. JavaScript is the foundation of React, so it’s worth looking into the JavaScript Development Certificate to give you an overview of the programming language. If you plan to use React for websites, try the Full Stack Web Development Certificate instead. 

These programs will give you a certificate upon completion, which you can display on your LinkedIn for everyone, including future employers. Noble’s certificate programs also come with the opportunity to retake the course for free, an ideal scenario for those wanting extra practice and support. If you’re not ready to commit to a bootcamp or certificate program, you can look through all of the React courses and choose the one that works best for you. 

You can also learn more about React through Noble Desktop’s React Learn Hub guides. 

Key Insights

• React is a free and open-source JavaScript library
• Its primary purpose is to help websites and apps load user interface (UI) elements without needing to refresh the page. 
• Many parallel fields, such as web development and UI design, rely on React to create responsive websites and apps. 
• In-person and live online React training courses are available through Noble Desktop.