Make Your Business “React”-ive

ReactJS and React Native are the new technologies for web and mobile development introduced by Facebook. The project was started by Jordan Walke, a Facebook software engineer, in 2011. To simplify the development process and foster a more comfortable user experience, he decided to create a library that would allow for building a web interface with JavaScript.

In this article, we’ll address why React was created and the advantages and disadvantages of using React technologies.

Pros of ReactJS

1- It boosts productivity and facilitates further maintenance
Often updates turn into a headache because the application has a complex logic and changes in one component can affect others. To solve the issue Facebook has supplemented React with the ability to reuse system components, and developers define it as one of the best features of React js.

Re-use of assets is well-known among designers, who typically reemploy the same digital objects. You can start with finest components (checkbox, button, etc.), then move to wrapper components comprised of these tiny elements and move forward until the main, root component. All components have their internal logic, what makes it easier to manipulate and define them. Such approach ensures consistent app look and facilitates codebase maintenance and growth.

2- It ensures faster rendering
Building a high-load application it is essential to consider how the structure will impact the overall app performance. Even latest platforms and engines can't ensure the absence of annoying bottlenecks, because DOM (document object model) is tree-structured and even small changes at the upper layer can cause awful ripples to the interface. To solve the issue Facebook development team has introduced Virtual DOM – currently, one of the benefits of using React for heavy loaded and dynamic software solutions.

As the name suggests, it is a virtual representation of the document object model, so all the changes are applied to the virtual DOM first and then, using diff algorithm, the minimal scope of necessary DOM operations is calculated. Finally, the real DOM tree is updated accordingly, ensuring minimum time consumed. This method guarantees better user experience and higher app performance.

3- Virtual DOM in React makes the user experience better and developer’s work faster
DOM (document object model) is a logical structure of documents in HTML, XHTML, or XML formats. Describing it in layman’s terms, it is a viewing agreement on data inputs and outputs, which has a tree form. Web browsers are using layout engines to transform or parse the representation HTML-syntax into a document object model, which we can see in browsers.

The main concern about traditional DOM construct is the way it processes changes, i.e., user inputs, queries, and so on. A server constantly checks the difference caused by these changes to give the necessary response. To respond properly, it also needs to update the DOM trees of the whole document, which is not ergonomically valid because DOM trees are fairly large today, containing thousands of elements.

The team behind React managed to increase the speed of updates by using virtual DOM. Unlike other frameworks that work with the Real DOM, ReactJS uses its abstract copy – the Virtual DOM. It updates even minimalistic changes applied by the user but doesn’t affect other parts of the interface. That is also possible thanks to React components isolation, which we’ll get to in a minute, and a special data structure in the library.

This makes updates really quick, allowing for the building of a highly dynamic UI. We can notice it writing in Facebook chat and seeing a simultaneously updating news feed. Moreover, in React, developers don’t have to bind DOM to functionality in the front-end because React elements are already connected to it.

4- It facilitates the overall process of writing components
JSX is an optional syntax extension to JavaScript that makes writing your own components much easier. It accepts HTML quoting and makes a subcomponent rendering easier. In fact, it is a set of shortcuts for writing React.createElement with a few rules to make your source cleaner and simpler.

While JSX is often a matter of dispute, it can prove useful in building high-volume apps or custom components, excluding typos in large tree structures, and making it easier to convert from HTML mockups to ReactElement trees. Besides that, it provides React developers with informative warning and error messages and also helps to prevent code injections.

5- It guarantees stable code
To make sure that even small changes that take place in the child structures won't affect their parents, ReactJS uses only downward data flow. Changing an object, developers just modify its state, make changes, and, after that, only particular components will be updated. This structure of data binding ensures code stability and continuous app performance.

6- There is React Native for mobile app development
React can be boldly called a “learn once – write anywhere” library, since in both web and mobile application development it follows the same design patterns, facilitating the transition process. Using plain JavaScript and React you'll be able to build rich UI for native apps, supported by both iOS and Android platforms.

Among other advantages of React js in mobile app development, our React Native developers recite its portability and ability to reuse components, real-time reload and modular architecture, open source, and generous ecosystem. When it comes to the actual use of React Native, we can list such mobile apps as Skype, Tesla, Airbnb, and WalMart. And don't forget about Instagram and Facebook – the actual innovators and early adopters.

7- It is focused and easy-to-learn
First, we need to get things straight: what is React js? – It is not a full-featured framework; it is a library that focuses on one particular thing and on doing it properly. In general, it is V in the MVC (model – view – controller) pattern, thus we use more tools to build a complete solution. Any JavaScript developer can get an insight into the basics and start building a superb web app after a few days mastering the tutorial and docs.

Taking into account all the above, this is also one of the major reasons why use React js. It doesn't impose any patterns, templates, complex internals or architecture like MVVM or MVC. It is a view layer that allows JS developer to design an app the way he sees it. The only thing you need to do is to get familiar with component's states, props, and life cycles.

8- It is backed by a strong community
Initially, React library was created for internal use and later shared with the entire world. Currently, it is supported by Facebook and Instagram engineering teams, plus external experts. For example, React GitHub repository numbers over 1100 contributors, while users can ask their questions on Stack Overflow, Discussion forum, Reactiflux Chart, Freenode IRC, social media platforms and many others.