Things to know before React

Discover the key things you need to know before you start learning React, with hidden tips!

Things to Know Before Learning React

React is a powerful JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Before diving into React, there are several foundational concepts and tools you should be familiar with. This blog post outlines the key prerequisites to help you get started on the right foot.

Basic HTML and CSS

Having a solid understanding of HTML and CSS is crucial before learning React. Knowing how to write semantic HTML tags will make it easier to grasp the concepts of JSX used in React.

Understand the structure and syntax of HTML.
Know how to style elements using CSS.

Vanilla JavaScript

Before jumping into a JavaScript library or framework, it's essential to learn Vanilla JavaScript. This will give you a strong foundation in the language's core features and concepts.

Must-know features:

ES6 Classes / ES6 Modules
Arrow Functions
Destructuring Assignment
Asynchronous JavaScript (Promises, async/await)

JSX (JavaScript Syntax Extension)

In React, you will work with JSX, which looks like HTML but is actually a JavaScript syntax extension. It's the easiest way to add HTML code inside JavaScript. You should have a complete understanding of JSX before you start learning React.

Understand how JSX works and how it differs from HTML.
Learn how to embed JavaScript expressions within JSX.

GIT (Version Control)

GIT is an open-source version control tool that lets you manage and keep track of your code. GitHub, on the other hand, is a code hosting platform where you can store and collaborate on your projects.

Learn basic GIT commands (commit, push, pull, branch).
Understand how to create and manage repositories on GitHub.

Package Manager (Node + npm)

When you work with React, you will install many smaller software packages that contain all the files needed for a module. NPM (Node Package Manager) is an installer that helps you download and keep track of these packages.

Understand how to use npm to install and manage packages.
Learn the basics of Node.js, as it is the environment where npm operates.

Conclusion

Before starting your journey with React, make sure you have a good understanding of HTML, CSS, Vanilla JavaScript, JSX, GIT, and npm. These foundational skills will make learning React much smoother and more enjoyable. Happy coding!