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React JS created by Facebook that is known for running the web interface of Instagram, React is JavaScript library that presents itself as the optimal solution for front-end developers of web and mobile apps.
In fact, React has been developed to streamline the development, maintenance and updating of the UI with the aim of supporting the development teams working on projects of medium and great complexity. Let’s see how it stand apart.
Main Differences with Other Similar Libraries
Unlike many libraries, React uses a different approach than the classic MVC. In this paradigm, we can consider React as the V (view) of MVC even if, in reality, React does not exist the concepts of controller, directive, template, listener of global events, etc.
Compared to the “separation of duties” React opts for a “separation of interests”. This means that React tends to group all the code according to the scope of use rather than to end the code separation paradigm based on its function (presentation, logic, data, etc). The goal of having a code distinct by the task is still achievable by adopting some best practices and development patterns.
Always in contrast, React avoids the use of two-way data bindings – bidirectional data flow – and the cascade update of the DOM tree, introducing the concept of “Virtual DOM” that allows to greatly improve the performance of the application in the rendering process.
Component-Based Architecture
In React we write applications in terms of “Components”. And if a component should be too complex, do not worry, we break it into smaller, simpler and reusable components!
A component in React JS is the fundamental unit of the application and corresponds to a custom element of the DOM. It is responsible for rendering the content of the element and managing the events present in it. It then defines the DOM to be generated to represent it in the page (with the optional use of JSX) and the behavior, that is, how it reacts to user interactions or changes in the status of the application.
A component can also be combined with other components. It can be inserted into another component or have other child components inside it.
Why to Choose React JS?
There are several reasons that motivate React’s choice as a frontend development library.
● Easy integration
Being a library and not a framework dedicated to the development of web applications, React can also be integrated into existing projects for the development of targeted parts. Its use is also independent of the technological stack of the project. Feel free to talk to our hire reactjs developer for integration purposes.
● Libraries and growing communities
It offers integrative modules for routing management, application status, testing and a host of ready-to-use libraries to cope with the most common problems and needs. React boasts in fact a large and active community of developers and counts among the user companies prestigious names such as AirBnB, Netflix, Paypal, Uber, Reddit, Asana, etc.
● Virtual DOM
It is an abstraction in memory of the components of the UI. It offers efficient management of changes in the DOM. Thanks to the selective rendering of sub-trees of the DOM at each change of state. For this purpose it uses an algorithm that allows it to identify only the parts that are subject to this change.
● JSX
It is an optional markup similar to HTML. It allows the declarative description of the interface by combining the ease of writing views with the power of JavaScript. This syntax is intended to be used by Transmitters (e.g. Babel) to transform JSX markup (found in JavaScript files) into standard JavaScript objects.
Unlike in the past, instead of writing JavaScript in HTML, JSX allows us to insert HTML in JavaScript!
● Unidirectional data flow (one-way data binding)
It avoids the complexity of the two-way data binding by defining a flow of mono directional data (parent-child) and a precise hierarchy of communication.
● Sharing the code between client and server
Unlike other client-side libraries, React is an isomorphic library. This property allows the pages to be rendered also on the server-side, thus sending the HTML to the browser which represents the initial state of the application. This guarantees versatility but at the same time that the application is SEO friendly.
To Conclude
The advantage in using React JS is made more evident when the complexity of the application grows. Once learned, it can be used in many types of projects, from the development of web apps to mobile and desktop. Finally, if integrated with a Redux, it can manage a centralized data store and the writing of applications that behave in a coherent and easy way to test.
