How I learned React Js

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About me

I am a full-stack developer with 5+ years of experience. I love to keep myself updated with the new tech coming up. I don't always just use them as they come up, but it gives me other perspectives, improvements, and clarity on concepts. The same way React came up while I was using Angular.

Why I wanted to learn React Js

The definition and the community were already saying that React solves just the UI architecture issue, but it solves in the best way ever. That attracted me. Then started looking at the docs and tried to be updated on Twitter with the community.

The way the community is working on improving React, with one of the core goal of DX, makes me think you will want to give it a try even though it may be irrelevant to you.

Later on, when I begin digging into it, I started understanding the difficulties in the Angular, lengthier approaches I was taking with Angular, and the learning curve to grasp each concept. React made me feel lot easier to understand and achieve my tasks. So there was nothing that can stop me to learn it more.

How I approached learning React Js

Very initially I started with the Egghead free course 'the beginner's guide to React' by (one of my favorite React community member) Kent C. Dodds(@kentcdodds) . Though it gave me the idea about the power of React, when I started implementation, I frequently needed to refer the official docs. So I went through the basic docs as well. That helped to to get idea where should I refer quickly if I need any help.

And I was fortunate to have my colleague Ronak Baldha(@fooburr) working on React since 3-4 months. Discussions with him expedite my learning.

Challenges I faced

React is un-opinionated library. You may have to decide what to use and what not to. Of course, there are advantage of it and that's why we have many flavors of different solutions around React. But initially, a beginner may find it difficult. We have to be careful not to follow anything blindly and try to understand the supportive libraries, why they are there and do we really need them.

Various patterns makes React really awesome and easier. You may find the people are criticizing the approaches which were just being appreciated a lot some weeks ago, and you may have that approach already in your project. But don't feel down or fear with it, take it positively. The community is trying improve constantly and that's beneficial for all.

Key takeaways

Video courses are good to know quickly the power of the framework/library but the official docs are must.

Nowadays, community is everything. And the way React have, it's the Best.

Tips and advice

Don't just blindly adopt anything. Check the concept and take it if it's only suitable. There are many buzz words around.

Read the code as much as you can. With React I found it easier too.

Teach the thing you learned. Whether it benefit others or not, it's definitely gonna benefit you.

Final thoughts and next steps

Working with React, you always think of making something reusable. Till now, I have developed the components that were usable in my projects or similar ones. Looking forward to make something that is more generalized, that may help the larger audience.