With React.js, you can create software products of any complexity for small and large businesses. This tool allows you to build stylish and practical interfaces, develop application logic and make it multifunctional. Thanks to React.js, can create not only websites and web versions of products but also mobile applications using an identical code structure, implement complex projects and launch new business tools.
Read the article to learn why React.js application development is in high demand today.
What Is React.js?
React is a JavaScript library aimed to develop user interfaces and is responsible for how your web application looks like. The React.js library, first introduced in 2013, is a great tool for building dynamic web and mobile applications. In particular, the library is used in the React Native framework to create native and cross-platform mobile solutions for iOS and Android. It can also be used in conjunction with other libraries, for example with React 360 to create virtual reality apps.
Key Features Of React.js
Open Source
The React code is open source. It was created by the Facebook corporation, which continues its active development along with the community. Since React is developed as an open source project, all library sites are available on GitHub. In addition, the official documentation site contains all the information about the library, which is useful for those who learn React.
Virtual DOM
React.js operation is based on a virtual DOM concept. The entire structure of a web page can be represented using the DOM (Document Object Model), i.e., the organization of HTML elements that we can manipulate, change, remove, or add new ones. You interact with the DOM with the help of JavaScript. However, when you try to manipulate HTML elements with JavaScript, performance usually decreases, especially when changing a large number of elements. And operations on elements can take some time, which will inevitably affect the user experience.
The concept of the virtual DOM appeared with the aim to solve the performance issue. The virtual DOM is a lightweight copy of the real DOM. A distinctive feature of React is that this library works with the virtual DOM, and not with the real one.
If an application needs the information about the state of some elements, it requests the virtual DOM. If elements of a web page need to be modified, the changes are first made to the virtual DOM. Then the new state of the virtual DOM is compared with the current state. And if these states differ, React finds the minimum number of manipulations that are necessary before updating the real DOM to a new state and performs them. This way, you simulate server-side processing in the user’s browser without the need to reload the page to update information. As a result, such a scheme for interacting with web page elements works much faster and more efficiently than if we worked directly with the DOM via JavaScript. This allows you to create truly dynamic, interactive web applications.
Component Approach
The main goal of React.js is to minimize errors that occur when developing user interfaces. It is achieved by using components — self-contained logical pieces of code that describe a part of the user interface.
In other words, React.js allows for the creation of independent reusable components responsible for various complex tasks, such as application state management, social networking, etc. The modular approach in React.js simplifies design and provides developers with a set of different ready-made components, abstracting away much of the rendering work and allowing them to focus on the design.
JSX
Another essential feature of React is the use of JSX — a combination of JavaScript and XML code, which provides an easy and intuitive way to define visual interface code. JavaScript XML is an extended syntax that is easier to work with and easier to find errors. For developers who know JavaScript and HTML, combining them into JSX makes the components easy to understand, which means no problems with development, testing, and maintenance.
Backward Compatibility
The biggest advantage of using React.js is that new versions of this library are fully compatible with previous releases. Old libraries do not become useless after updates are released.
Benefits For Developers
Simplified Creation Of Dynamic Apps
Many companies are engaged in the development of dynamic web applications. React.js is a popular tool for covering frontend tasks, and in combination with custom Java development services for backend, it provides great results. Developers can significantly reduce project timelines, improve the functionality of web development, and reduce the amount of manual coding.
Reusable Components
This concept in React.js allows software engineers to reuse the same components in different sections of the application, which significantly reduces the time it takes to complete a project.
One-Way Data Binding
React.js allows you to nest a child component within a parent component, making the data flow in one direction. This makes it easier for developers to find bugs and fix them.
Ease Of Learning
Learning React.js is easy as the library uses HTML, JavaScript, and convenient add-ons. Built-in tools help developers understand the React.js logic quicker.
Benefits For Business
Digital Product That Works On Any Device
React.js development allows you to create isomorphic applications. The same structure is used for different systems and devices. The code used when creating a site is also used to develop a mobile application. Few changes are required to develop a solution for any device in a short time.
Impeccable UI
Flexible settings make it possible to create an interface of varying complexity. Regardless of the type of product, whether it is a manufacturing application, marketplace, or eCommerce system, it is easy to create a clear and functional interface. A lot of settings and simplicity of logic allows you to make a quality product.
Integration With Other Frameworks
React.js works well in conjunction with other frameworks and integrates into many systems. Using it, you can create both new products and improve existing ones, add functionality and implement tools. The functionality of this library is extended through integrations.
Faster Time To Market
Due to the extensive library and the ability to quickly create modules, React.js development is actively used to create MVPs. This allows you to launch a product on the market not in months, but in weeks. Quick testing of hypotheses will save the business money for development and will allow assessing the demand for the product. This solution is for dynamic companies.
