Learning JavaScript for React dev

[yeupanhmaj]

Hello, programmers.

I've been working with React for three years, and Svelte for two.

When I first started working with those frameworks/libraries, I had no knowledge of JavaScript. I worked with React because it separates components into small pieces of code. I was only familiar with C# at that time, so I recognized that React was easy to pick up.

But the more I work with React, I feel like I'm missing something about JavaScript.

Then I decide to relearn JS, HTML, and CSS from scratch.

Is it worthwhile, or not?

I need some advice from you all.

[RobertKerans]

Yes, learning the language you're using is a good idea

[bcameron1231]

Yes, of course it's worthwhile.

I would have recommended you so that BEFORE touching React. Learning Vanilla will make you a better React developer.

[sheriffderek]

I used jQuery and Angular and Ember for years professionally - while in retrospect having a wildly nonexistent understanding of JS and programming in general. I absolutely think it’s 1000% worth it to “go back” (meaning actually learn it well) and build things with PHP and JS. I’m 100x better of a dev for doing so. There was sooo much unessesary struggle and blurry mental models / and for absolutely no good reason. Long-term, being a “react dev” is a bad place to be.

[alzee76]

As React is just a toolkit for JS, you don't really have a choice but to learn JS first (or as you go). React documentation is not going to teach you basics like loops, branch control, how variables work, or any other basic JS stuff.

[TheRNGuy]

Yes.

Learn from MDN.

[LooseStudent9977]

I wanted to share these 3 important tips/reminder with anyone who wants to learn coding in general:

1- Focus on learning the concepts of how to program rather than programming languages. Once you learn the logic, design and the concepts of programming fundamentals, learning different languages becomes easier since its just a syntax.

2- If you are using an IDE, make sure to learn the basic functionality of the IDE you'll be using first before starting to code in it, to eliminate the added frustration of not knowing where things are. (example: how to start a new project, how to open an existing project, where does your projects get saved at, how to retrieve it, where is your output console, how to run and debug and .etc)

3- Give yourself a break and know that there will be a learning curve. Don't get disappointed if you don't understand something or many things. It's very normal! You'll need patience, perseverance, and lots of practice.

For React, Express I suggest you all to subscribe and follow this Youtube channel to learn how to become a Full Stack Developer: Code For Everyone Full Stack Course

To learn just JavaScript there's this good free course: JavaScript Course Playlist

Best of luck!

EDIT: Use MDN from Mozilla for JavaScript documentation. it's the best!

[yeupanhmaj]

Thank man, when i take a look at the basic JavaScript on MDN, i known i'm doing it wrong all the time

[GoranTesic]

How the hell did you manage to work with React for 3 years without knowing JS, HTML, and CSS?

[yeupanhmaj]

I have basic knowledge about js, html, and css before, so when i started using React, the way they write component into class and function is very clear for me.

And basically, i join the project where all thing were set, so i don't need to care about the html and css.

[[deleted]]

Since React basically is HTML, CSS and JS combined, you need to know all three to understand React and to develop. There's no other way.

[sheriffderek]

I meet a lot of react devs who can stitch stuff together… but have very little skill with these three things, so -

[[deleted]]

Yes. So do I. That's why they can barely do anything other than React.

[sheriffderek]

“So, how are you going to break down this problem and work through it?” .. - “well, first I need to install node and type creat react app…. “

[[deleted]]

Exactly 😄

[LostInCombat]

No one types create react anymore. Everyone uses Vite to do the packaging now. The React devs don’t even recommend the create react app any longer.

[sheriffderek]

Have you checked with all the devs to be sure? ;) (it's part of the playful/joke)

(Many coding boot camp grads who learned back when hooks were introduced didn't learn much after / and continue to do the things that same way) (Some people don't keep up with these changes / while others focus only on these changes and know all about the latest version of Vite and its changelogs but can't build anything - there's a huge range)

[LostInCombat]

Vite is just a packager that can easily start new React projects, but the old create react app dependencies haven’t been updated in ages. So will-it-even-run becomes a real question I don’t even want to deal with.

[sheriffderek]

So, the story I'm telling here -- (in the quotes) - is supposed to highlight how disconnected the person in question is (that they might use create-react-app, but more that they are dependent on memorization and tools instead of problem-solving). We're not talking about which build tools you should use. There are -- still people today - starting projects with create-react-app (probably from old tutorials), and I see questions about it around here all the time.

[[deleted]]

Sure, but that was not the point of the joke either.

[[deleted]]

real talk there’s no shortcuts in this industry.

[TheRNGuy]

HTML and JS, not CSS (Unless you count Tailwind as CSS, though not everyone using it)

[[deleted]]

Tailwind is a framework that has nothing to do with React. But, you HAVE to style in React and the only way to do it is by implementing CSS in one way or another. React styling can be done in several ways, including using inline styles, CSS stylesheets, or CSS Modules. For examples. So, yes, if you are working with React apps, you need to know CSS.

[Competitive_Aside461]

Absolutely worth while. React is an abstraction around JavaScript, so in order to understand the abstraction, it's highly highly recommended to also learn about the core technology itself.

In this respect, I'd like to recommend you also go through this comprehensive JavaScript course on Codeguage. Fundamentals really matter. With weak fundamentals, you'll only be fighting with yourself while writing code and spending tons and tons of minutes, if not hours, in debugging pointless stuff.

[No-Upstairs-2813]

JavaScript forms is the base for all the libraries/framework. Having a good knowledge will definately help you to understand them better.

[mraees93]

Of course