What React JS
The term React is also known as React.js as well as React JS. However, the foundation of React is a JS (JavaScript) library that will let you create a super interactive and fast user interface (UI) of your web application page.
Besides, you can also use React for any kind of mobile app. Furthermore, the foundation of React was on Facebook in 2011. At that time it started allowing the developers to build a sizable web application in terms of integrating the snippet code.
Although we often call React a framework, it is a library in the real sense. In the case of React, you are allowed to use other sorts of libraries to get an elegant solution to your framework.
The React Developer Tools
React development tools is a sort of browser extension. You will get this browser extension accessible for Firefox and Chrome. It will work as a set of widgets to assist your development progress.
To add your React Dev tool to the Chrome extension, you will get the following tabs-
- Components
- Profiler
Here, the component tabs will present you the on-page rendered components and also the sub-components. So, check your component tree if you intend to debug your application. And, observe how React works in Real-Time.
So, all you need to do is to install the React Dev tool through either Chrome or Firefox. If you want to install your React tool over Chrome Browser then Click Here to download and install easily. And if your choice goes for the Firefox Browser, Click Here for easy installation.
It will not ask you for further requirements if you have finished installing once. And, if you want to view your page, open the browser-
- Click right anywhere on the page viewport
- Select “Inspect Element tab”
- Select the “Components tab” on the inspection window
- You can now see the view of your application chain of command.
How You Get Started with React JS Books
We intend to introduce you to the best React JS books that will help you get the concept from the beginning to the end of your React / Web Developing Project. So, to get started for the first time, you should follow the “Getting Start with React” book which will be available on Amazon.
This book will be your great free aid as it will introduce you to the fundamental anatomy of React JS. It will guide you step-by-step so that you can learn effortlessly at your beginning level.
What you can learn going through this book are-
- API
- Forefront Application
- Custom Application
- Input Handling
- Implementing Reactive Paradigm
- Implementing React component through JSX
- ES6 Syntaxes
- Understanding FLUX
- Testing React JS Coding
- Deploying code using WebPack and Gulp
However, this book is a great recommendation for the Front-End Developer and Middle-App Developer. Nevertheless, we found this book to be a great beginner’s guide.
Besides, each of the topics of this book is explained contextually and sequentially intending to give you React JS details. So, you can get a definite head start through this phenomenal book.
How to Master React JS?
To master your React JS, there are six basic conditions that you should cover first. Let’s see what those conditions are to master your React JS-
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Understanding the React Concept
While you focus on understanding something, you must focus on reading. The concept of reading is a bit boring for many users though. It will help you to be safe from making any wrong implementation in the future.
And to understand the React concept well, we suggest you read the React Official Documentation book.
And, if you can explain some basic topics about React, realize that you’ve understood well the basic things of React. So, make sure you can go through-
- Prop Types
- Component Lifecycle
- Functional Components
- Class Components
- State Lifting
- Virtual Dom
And, understanding the React concept is the priority to Master your React JS.
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Begin Your Project
While you think that you have understood the basic concept of React, begin your React project. In this case, Create React App will be your best starting kit to follow. It will be your best guide if structuring an international admin tool as you don’t need to focus here on SEO much.
But in the case of a Public Website where SEO is a great concern, you must follow the SSR on Create React App book that we recommend.
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Select the UI Framework
It is extremely important to select an appropriate UI framework because it contributes to your project coding. Therefore, you will get several UI libraries that are well enough to guide your brand styling.
Its readily usable components will customize and develop your brand faster. At this point, our recommendation for you is Material-UI, the most famous one.
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Understand React Patterns
We recommend you study all the patterns of React to understand well how you can master React JS. It will help you grow code-healthiness.
How Does React App Work
In general, React JS works through a declarative paradigm to make things flexible for your application. It keeps designing all the simple views aiming to bring your web page with efficiency.
What is more, React will help you render and update your site with all the selective and right components. And, later it will work smoothly in terms of your data changing activity.
However, React mainly upholds a tree that can do all the resourceful diff working out on the nodes.
Let us explain more readily for you below-
Assume all your HTML code as a tree. And, this is how the browser as well delicate your DOM. DOM is the rendered HTML on your browser.
And, here is the ultimate performance of React that will allow you to re-build your DOM in JS. And, it will receive only the occurred changes that push them to your DOM. Let’s know some more essential points on how React works-
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React Renderer
While you work through HTML coding through head / p / div tag, React constructs those elements meeting its ReactDOM. Here React DOM starts creating NOD and adds them to the DOM.
React renderer is ultimately a fantastic move because it constructs a UI tree that is well suitable for web as well as mobile. Besides, you will get React Native as the render that directly uses the library. But the React Native doesn’t use the DOM.
You might think about what the actual function of a React native is. Well, while you need to work for mobile, the React native will give you support for getting the UI from the OS directly.
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React Reconciliation
In the case of reconciliation, React continues a slow performance. It will help you make the least amount of adjustments or changes. It means, in terms of React reconciliation, React works so slow.
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React Keys
While you need to include or exclude any elements in a Node, React key will loop over the coding of the new and old tree of the node. And, it will then select the place where to add or remove.
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JSX is Syntactic Sugar
You will not find anything like JSX in your JS and browser. But you can consider the JSX as synthetic sugar that can build JS objects. It is tough to code while you need to write nested stuff. Also, you will find it inconvenient to continue the codebase.
And, here is the main function of JSX you will get. JSX will assist you to bring the HTML in terms of the control of JS.
What to Learn before Learning ReactJS
To make your app for the first time in React, you should know some basic thing about React before making your go. And these will help you make a productive project. Let’s know what you should learn before learning your ReactJS-
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Observe Updated Coding
React keeps changing its flow right after a few days. Therefore, if you do not follow its updated instructions, your coding procedures will fail. To be more updated, we recommend you run two folders. These are-
- Examples Folder
- Test Folder
And, while you clone the example folder, you will see that the coding in that folder isn’t working. That means you’ve got some changes. Often you can see your example folder will be more updated than the immediately previous time.
And, the test folder will also work the same as the example folder. So, make sure you’re concerned about all the updates about React before going to start.
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Know the Developing Area
While you are about to be a front-end developer or engineer, you must know your developing area. For instance- you have a huge focus on transforming styles through JS plugins. Usually, to get around the browser constraints, you have to learn to use JavaScript properly.
In this sense, you have to know the uses of different essential tools to work with Javascript. Tools like- WebPack, Gulp, Rollup, Browserify, GitHub, styling SVGs, etc.
So, here, you have to know well how and when to use these tools. Besides, the following skills you can gain while using those tools, such as-
- You can learn the way to open your Command Line/ Terminal/ Zsh or Bash
- Learning $PATH Variables will be another key advantage.
- You can save time by typing through Alias.
- Besides, you will know about the SUDO and Local Host idea.
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Know What NPM Is
The Node Package Manager is the amplification of NPM. You need NPM to install JS Libraries of Coding Packages. Here, you can simply use the Command Line to have all the JS files directly from the central place. And, that whole procedure is known as NPM.
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Know about CSS
Knowing CSS before you start your React-based project is another point that you should focus on. We all know the importance of CSS while thinking about making a page responsive.
So, knowing CSS is crucial before you go for ReactJS. And, this is the last thing that we suggest you focus on.
6 Best React JS Books for All Leveled Frontend Developers
There are thousands of books to offer you React aid. But the question is how you will understand those books will be beneficial for you. Well, here we will introduce you to the best and top-ranked six React.JS books that will help you break your boundaries. Let’s see what those exclusive books are-
1. The Road to React By Robin Wieruch
While you are in search of something comprehensive as well as pragmatic, your choice should go for “The Road to React” book that is written by Robin Wieruch. It will be a good fit for your up-to-date React JS book.
You will notice all the programming books get quickly updated right after their release. But in the case of “The Road to React” book, you have no such insecurity as it is a self-published book by the author.
Key Features
- High Performance
- Fire Based Deployment
- Testing
- Server Side Searching
Reasons Why to Read this Book
This React book is the master to teach you all the fundamentals of React.js with a step-by-step guide. It will give a clear idea about all the programming languages of React apps at your React app-building time.
Besides, the author designed this book focused on all levels of development. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are new or an expert in this area. You can take your necessary info through this book whatever you want.
Also, it is a great possibility if you are a beginner because this book contains a ref.URL at the end of each chapter. As a result, whenever you get stuck, you can check the ref.URL status quo and see the actual code. It is cool!
Furthermore, this book is a guarantee for your whole deployment of React applications.
Specifications
- Publisher: Independent
- Language : English
- Paperback : 247 pages
- Item Weight : 1.29 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.56 x 11 inches
2. Learning React by Alex Banks
If you are a React developer or software engineer, this book will be a perfect match for you. As long as you can get how HTML, CSS, or JavaScript work in your browser, this book for beginners will bring you the best assistance. And, eventually you can build dynamic web applications.
This book is the shadow of best practices and design patterns for your React content maintainable code. To go through this book, you need no previous knowledge of React components or JavaScript. Furthermore, you will learn the React application structuring through this practical guide.
Also, professional developers find this book useful to bring the elite growth for their front-end development. And, it is because they can focus on the latest JS language techniques while emerging.
Key Features
- GitHub Repository
- Newly Introduced Tools
- Newly Introduced Syntax
- Exploded React Ecosystem
Reasons Why to Read this Book
The author of this book has explained the topics in a smoother way how you can build your UIs in terms of your page display changing. And, it will not claim any page reload for the React ecosystem.
Besides, you can explore the advantage of the functional programming of React and its updated ECMAScript features. So, don’t miss this hands-on guide to build your React components.
Specification
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media
- Language: English
- Paperback: 310 page
- Item Weight: 1.09 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.01 x 0.65 x 9.17 inches
3. React Explained
This book is a combination of WordPress, Drupal, and Magento. It will be your best choice of JavaScript framework to make your go easy. The book “React Explained” is the roadway to start your journey fun.
In addition, this book will be your best partner to show how you can learn debugging applications. Besides, you can easily manage your React hooks to fetch data.
Key Features
- Up-to-Date
- Clear instruction
- Hands-on learning
- Single Page Application
Reasons Why to Read this Book
Going through this book, you can make a deep dig in the React working area to create your application using React. It will not claim any extra study period from you to learn all the procedures.
Instead, you can learn the frontend web building practically with the help of the “React Explained” book.
Specifications
- Publisher: Self
- Language : English
- Paperback : 366 pages
- Item Weight : 1.08 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.83 x 9 inches
4. React and React Native by Adam Bouch
React and React Native book is a definitive guide with advanced topics and platform features. This book is written by Adam Boduch which contains an outstanding framework for writing.
The author has written this book based on all the updated features Hook, Suspense, NativeBase. You will understand the basics of GraphQL that will help you build a scalable backend for your web app.
Also, it will help you get grips on how you can write an easy-to-manage mobile app using React architecture. This book is the essential guide for UI components implementation.
Key Features
- Easy to learning Web Manage
- Cross-Platform App Guide
- Innovative Interface Guide
- GraphQL
Reasons Why to Read this Book
It will teach you how you can create a robust user interface using the Material-UI in terms of desktop and mobile apps. Moreover, the code implantation correctly will also be your other guidance. Its NativeBase section will show you the way to simplify your web page layout design.
Specifications
- Publisher: Packt Publishing
- Language : English
- Paperback : 526 pages
- Item Weight : 1.97 pounds
- Dimensions : .5 x 1.19 x 9.25 inches
5. Modern Full-Stack Development by Frank Zammetti
The “Modern Full-Stack Development” book is a complete full-stack React guide to let you explore Node, TypeScript, Docker, etc. And, needless to say, how important it is to learn about Node, TypeScrip, or WebPack tools to build a successful and modern app.
Utilizing JavaScrip is a must while you are going for a React-based web app. and, in many books, you will be in trouble to understand the way they are explained. In this case, the “Modern Full Stack Development” book is well organized.
Key Features
- Well Defined
- Easy Language
- GraphQL
- Full Developed Stack
Reasons Why to Read this Book
The reason why you will read this book is to get yourself ready perfectly for your React-based project. You will learn how to build a REST API to client-server using nose and express. Besides, to improve communication, you can get the best idea of using WebSockets.
You also have the opportunity to review NoSQL, NPM, Semantic versioning, etc.
Specifications
- Publisher: Apress
- Language : English
- Paperback : 395 pages
- Item Weight : 1.66 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.01 x 0.9 x 10 inches
6. Learning React by Kirupa Chinnathambi
This book is a good explainer of all the new web frameworks as well as libraries to get you the runway achievement. It defines all the fundamental things in such a way that create a trouble-free guide for you.
It will explain to you the step-by-step guide on how you can manage your app through Redux, JSX, UI. Here in this book, the author tried to bring his own and unique writing style to help the beginners.
Key Features
- Basic Guide for Beginners
- Excellent Primer
- Wonderfully Code-Explaining
- JSX Visual
Reasons Why to Read this Book
The “Learning React” book will be the beginner’s best guide to create their React first app. It will show you the right path to specify visuals using JSX. And, to create these visuals, you don’t need to write full-fledged JavaScript.
So, keep imagine, how effortless it is!
Specifications
- Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
- Language : English
- Paperback : 304 pages
- Item Weight : 1.06 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.05 x 0.75 x 9 inches
FAQ
How many days required to learn to React js?
It will take one to twelve months to learn Reactjs process if you have basic knowledge about React. But, the learning period can be longer or lesser depending on the ability you carry.
Nevertheless knowing nothing about React, and expecting to learn it by a week or days will be ridiculous.
Here, if you are with a basic knowledge of React, then there are lots of instructor-led courses you will find. And you can build your expertise within a short while through those courses.
Is React Easy to Learn?
Indeed, the knowledge of HTML and CSS is an integral part of any type of web development project. So, if you think that you are on these HTML and CSS skills already, you can learn to React effortlessly.
And React will be an excellent tool for you to start your next go as a web developer.
Can I learn to React without JavaScript?
Well, React is the JS Library. So, it might now be well understood to you how essential it is to learn JavaScript. And, in simple words, you cannot go for React unless you learn JS.
But if you already have learned JS, you need to focus on the JavaScript special features and ES6 classes.
Should I learn React or Node first?
Here, React and Node are completely different in meaning. React is the frontend library while Node lets JS execute on the backend. Node acts as the runtime environment for JS.
In the easiest way to explain to you that, you need to React while you want to be a frontend developer. And Node you need to be a backend developer.
How to learn React fast?
You need to follow five essential steps to learn React fast. Let’s see what those five steps are-
- Set the environment to get support to start JSX and XML
- Set a React Extension
- Watch as React tutorials as many as you can
- Read the ReactsJS books (follow our suggested books above)
- Keep testing
Conclusion
React is a super popular JS library with more than 6 million downloads per week. But many developers don’t know much about React, its working area, and also its JS books or components.
We have tried to cover the topics that will help you know how and where to start. Besides our top and 6 best React JS book selection will also be your helpful concern.
So, we hope that our content will help you explore the hidden skill of React for your next go.
