Part 1 – Introduction to React.js – A Beginner’s Guide

React.js has taken the front-end development world by storm, and for good reason. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into web development or an experienced developer wanting to modernize your skills, learning React is a smart move.

In this first post of our React.js WordPress Blog Series, we’ll cover:

• What is React.js?
• Why Learn React in 2024?
• Key Features of React
• Setting Up for the Series

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What is React.js?

React.js (or simply React) is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building interactive user interfaces. Unlike traditional frameworks like Angular, React focuses solely on the view layer, making it lightweight and flexible.

How Does React Work?

React uses a component-based architecture, meaning you build your UI using small, reusable pieces called components. These components can manage their own state and efficiently update when data changes, thanks to React’s Virtual DOM.

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Why Learn React in 2024?

Here’s why React remains one of the most popular front-end technologies:

• ✅ High Demand in the Job Market – React developers are among the most sought-after professionals.
• ✅ Reusable Components – Write once, use everywhere.
• ✅ Virtual DOM – Faster rendering and better performance.
• ✅ Strong Community & Ecosystem – Tons of libraries (like Redux, Next.js) and support from Facebook.
• ✅ Used by Top Companies – Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Airbnb, and many more rely on React.

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Key Features of React

1. JSX – JavaScript + HTML

React introduces JSX, a syntax extension that lets you write HTML-like code inside JavaScript.

const greeting = <h1>Hello, React!</h1>;

2. Components – The Building Blocks

Everything in React is a component. You can create functional or class-based components.

function Welcome() {
  return <h1>Welcome to my React Blog!</h1>;
}

3. State & Props – Managing Data

• State = Internal data that a component manages.
• Props = Data passed from parent to child components.

function Greeting(props) {
  return <h1>Hello, {props.name}!</h1>;
}

4. Hooks – Modern React (16.8+)

Hooks like useState and useEffect allow functional components to manage state and side effects.

import { useState } from 'react';

function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
  return (
    <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
      Clicked {count} times
    </button>
  );
}

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Setting Up for the Series

In the next blog post, we’ll cover:

• 🔹 How to set up a React development environment
• 🔹 Installing Node.js & npm
• 🔹 Creating your first React app with create-react-app

Make sure you have Node.js installed (we’ll need it for package management).

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What’s Next?

Stay tuned for Blog 2: Setting Up Your React Development Environment where we’ll get hands-on with React!

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Quick Question for You:

Have you ever worked with React before? Let us know in the comments! 🚀