Does your business need a high-performance web application? If so, the React.js framework has a lot to offer.
Also known simply as “React,” React.js is a JavaScript library originally designed for one of the most complex web applications in history: Facebook.
The first version of the framework was produced by Facebook software engineer Jordan Walke in 2011, and was deployed to manage this site’s News Feed system soon after. The following year it was rolled out on Instagram, and in 2013 the React.js code was made open source (and therefore open to the public). Ever since then it has been a highly popular choice for projects everywhere.
More React-based tools have been released over time, most famously React Native, which allows native development in Android, iOS, and Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform.
Using React for your next project could provide several important advantages, but it is not the right choice for all situations. Here is the Amdaris quick guide to the pros and cons of using React.js for your next web app.
Which types of projects fit React.js best?
React.js fits literally any web project thanks to its robust API and strong data flow model.
If an app lacks the resources to run JavaScript (which React.js is part of), there are still benefits to be had from other tools in the React ecosystem, like Next.js or Gatsby.js, which can still be used to create static sites or server-rendered sites.
Which projects are not suited for React.js?
As React.js is a front end JavaScript framework, it can only be used to develop User Interfaces for web projects.
The Top 4 reasons for using React.Js:
Using React.js for any appropriate project provides several considerable advantages.
- High performance: Creating high-performance web apps using React.js is straightforward. While standard web apps use real Document Object Models, or DOMs (a standard system browsers use to render web pages), React.js uses Virtual DOM. Instead of rendering entire pages, Virtual DOM selectively renders the parts of a web page which have changed. Developers do not have to spend time on premature optimisation – the apps just work. React.js is also great for developing websites which “feel” fast to users (which is not at all the same thing as a website being fast for a server). Tools such as Next.js for Server Side Rendering can be used to compress data, which is then “rehydrated” once the React.js runtime is loaded.
- Reusable Components: js applications are built from small pieces called components. There are lots of high-quality, open source components to choose from, and of course developers are free to create their own. Most of the open-source components used in React.js use popular CSS-in-JS solutions (the instructions for presentation browsers follow for websites). These are completely hassle-free in terms of CSS conflicts or theming. In 2019, React introduced “hooks,” which allows the sharing of behaviour or business logic between apps.
- Reactive User Interface and one way data flow: The React.js ecosystem enforces one-way data flow and the concept of UI = f(State) model. Okay, this is a bit of a mouthful, but it means that using React.js automatically eliminates a lot of bugs related to User Interfaces. This makes developing and debugging React.js apps very straightforward (which is a very good thing).
- Developer Tools: One of React.js’ strong points is the tooling. In addition to a robust API surface and code base, React.js provides a best-in-class developer experience, including Official Developer Tools for React.js itself and Redux – the most popular state management library. Of course, user experience is ultimately more important than developer experience, but when a system is easy and efficient to use it will help any project produce faster, higher quality results.
Are there disadvantages of using this React.js?
React.js has a lot to offer, but it is not perfect. Here are possible downsides to look out for:
- A steep learning curve: React.js is easy for beginners to use, but mastering it takes time. To become an expert, developers need knowledge of Functional Programming. Developers used to Object Oriented Programming will find it harder to understand higher-order components, closures, and hooks.
- The cost of runtime: React.js is a JavaScript library, not a complete system. It will enable developers to build a Virtual DOM, but other systems are needed to bring the magic of React.js to life (React DOM, React Native and React Three Fiber are most notable of these). Browsers have to put in a good deal of work before they can render a React.js-built app: the runtime and app code have to be loaded, and the first render has to be performed. Google tends to prefer sites that require less work for browsers, so this can have a significant impact on SEO. If search engine visibility is important, some of this work can be transferred server side. Web apps that are not reliant on search to gain users (Facebook being the ultimate example, of course), do not need to worry about this.
- The downside of flexibility: React.js’ strength is also its weakness. Every React.js project is a unique combination of React.js, a state management library, and several smaller libraries. This allows developers a great deal of flexibility in what developers use and what they don’t use, but in inexperienced hands, this can go wrong (often resulting in apps which are difficult or impossible to maintain).
Why is Amdaris the right development partner for using React.js?
Amdaris developers have a wealth of experience using React.js, and thanks to growing demand we are steadily growing our team of React.js experts through recruitment and in-house training.
In the last twelve months, we have completed seven major projects using React.js, and we have the capacity to do even more in the coming year.
Amdaris is not exclusively a React.js specialist. If we encounter a project which would be better served by another framework we will not hesitate to say so. We only recommend a technology to our clients if it is the best fit for their needs.
What next?
If you would like to speak to someone at Amdaris about React.js, or any other framework, just get in touch.
Email ask@amdaris.com and let us know about your next plans. We will help you choose the best technology for making your project a success!