What Makes React The Best Choice For Web Developers?

While front-end frameworks and libraries are not essential for developing web applications, they help build them more efficiently with pre-written code libraries and modules. One such tool that facilitates efficient web development is React.js.

React.js, or React, is an open-source front-end JavaScript library that uses components to build interfaces for websites and applications. Its features help reduce development time while keeping the quality of the product intact.

React.js offers the best results when used for -

• Single page application (SPA) - React is the perfect choice for single page applications as it allows web page content to be updated without reloading or refreshing the page.
• Social media websites - React enables easy navigation and fast content rendering. This has made it an ideal choice for the front-end development for Instagram, Facebook, Reddit etc.
• Streaming services and CRM systems

Let's look at some reasons that make React.js an ideal choice for web app development.

Why use React.js for web application development?

• Reusable components: React uses a component-based structure and independent code pieces. The element must be specified only once and then can be reused as many times as required. This helps reduce the development time and speeds up the process. Each component of React has its logic, which helps give the app a consistent look and feel while making it easier to maintain and grow the codebase.
• Virtual DOM: A virtual DOM or Document Object Model is a lightweight JavaScript used in declarative web frameworks like React. Virtual DOM is faster to update than the actual DOM. React.js supports virtual DOM, helping speed up the loading of web pages by removing the need to load the entire HTML structure. This feature allows users to keep interacting with the app even when the app is updating.
• React Hooks: Hooks were introduced in the React 16.8 update and can be seen as functions that latch onto the React state from function components. These functions enable developers to use the many features of React libraries, such as state and lifecycle methods in functional components without writing a class, and increase the app's readability, reusability, and testability.
• SEO friendly: Search engine optimization helps promote web resources and is crucial for online businesses. React.js supports server-side rendering (SSR), allowing search engines to index websites. SSR enables search engines to see the website contents without first executing JavaScript.
• Flexibility and compatibility: React.js allows developers to develop applications that can be used across multiple platforms and browsers. It's almost like developing a universal solution that reduces time-to-launch. It can be used to create applications of any size and complexity because of its scalable and versatile nature. React enables linking with other tools and frameworks, allowing developers to create apps offering multiple features.
• Easy migration: The purpose of React initially was to create small JavaScript components and insert them into a page. This helps make migration to React.js easier than migrating from any other JavaScript framework and is why React.js development services are in great demand. With technological shifts, businesses need to find ways to migrate their applications with minimal challenges, and React.js code can be included in existing frameworks without any performance issues.
• Low learning curve: While comparing JavaScript frameworks, React.js is more user-friendly and has a lower learning curve than other frameworks such as Vue.js, Angular.js, or Ember.js. Learning and using React has almost no learning curve for developers familiar with JavaScript. It also offers extensive documentation that can help developers learn or shift from any other framework to React.
• Fast refresh: React Fast Refresh, this feature is the latest iteration of hot reloading, helps developers update and re-render components in which changes have been made without having to reload the whole app itself. This feature also preserves the component state, meaning developers don't have to create the same scenario again manually. These fast re-renders help create a superior developer experience that makes the loop between making changes and seeing the results more efficient.
• Community: React has a strong community with an ecosystem of over 100 million developers who contribute routinely to make React extremely versatile. Since React.js is open source, it helps develop a supportive and collaborative medium where developers can easily share issues, solutions, and ideas. The open community also allows developers to access a rich and diverse ecosystem that provides tutorials, frameworks, and libraries that help foster learning, improvement and innovation.

Concluding thought

React is one of the most frequently used JavaScript libraries for application and website development. It offers numerous benefits and is reusable, flexible, and can be updated easily. It is preferred for single-page application development, streaming services and social media sites.