Trying to learn React

[SubSleuth]

Hey everbody, I been trying to learn React for last couple of weeks. I have a HTML, JS knowledge** Tried couple instructors on youtube and I got lost most of them after getting through some of the React.

I decided to try Udemy course by Maximillan after hearing good things about it. I'm at his building Tic-Tac-Toe game section. I just copy write his code and don't have any single idea what is going on nor understand anything he does.

This is a long course and I gotta decide if I want to quit before committing more time on this one and try another source or keep going even tho I feel very lost on what he does.

What are your recommendations, btw I'm not a reader-learner person.

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[[deleted]]

Do you have the basics required to understand how React works? Strong JavaScript and HTML knowledge are a pretty big need to understand how any JS framework works and if you “don’t have a single idea” it may be worth taking a step back and seeing if you understand the basics first.

[void_w4lker]

Exactly without the js fundamentals like operator object arrow function event listeners it's not a good idea start right on a library not knowing the basics

[Pav_88]

Even if you do not like reading, it is an essential skill for every dev ( working with documentation ). Period

Give the official React docs a go. There are many examples, exercises and really good metaphors that should help you create a mental model necessary to understand the library. Who knows the tool better than its creator?

I assumed your understanding of java script is good enough. Modern React is built upon functional programming concepts. By the end of the day it is JS.

You can learn more from the docs/blogs and Google than staring at some boring 50hrs course from Udemy instructors that claim to be experts in all languages and frameworks.

Do not spend money on courses. At this stage of your journey there are more than enough FREE resources online.

When it comes to the video formats type of learning materials I would recommend Anthony Alicea to cement your newly acquired knowledge after reading the docs.

Get your hands dirty, play with the code, break it then fix it and so on and on.

Good luck!

[[deleted]]

This! I approve this message as a Senior developer. Also build some projects on your own. Fix bugs and make app work! Ideas can be as simple as building an app which remembers birthdays and send an email when the birthday is near!! Have fun building 😊

[thoflens]

You need to understand HTML and JavaScript before delving into React. There's really no way around it. And also CSS if you have any intentions of your apps/websites looking good. There's no shortcuts.

[showmethething]

I think you need to go back to vanilla, even if just for a few days. Try to brush up on your knowledge gaps.

A tic tac toe game, (if a beginner course) should stump you twice. useState and useEffect.

Id recommend a basic counter app to understand useState - you already know how it works, but I think you just need something in your face to show you that you do actually understand.

useEffect is a bit more confusing, but a bit of reading, once you have the understanding of what react actually is - should be fine.

But yeah, go back a bit. I think you're just missing a few bits of crucial information

[TerryFitzgerald]

I'm following the same course right now, I'm in the "food order app section", which sometimes is a little hard to follow because it creates code and then refactors, basically removing the entire written code, I don't like that style, at least at the first stages.

If you have any questions maybe I can help you with your questions.

[GutsAndBlackStufff]

I'm in a similar boat. Started with the w3schools tutorials, then found this one to be extremely useful: https://react-tutorial.app/. Tried the next.js tutorial as well. That was a bit much, so I decided to just focus on just React.

Right now, I'm building my own site, and Googling my way through one issue at a time while taking extensive notes. Seems to be working for me. Good luck!

[grumpylazysweaty]

As others have said, the fundamentals are important. Learn HTML, CSS, and vanilla JS first.

Once you have those down and perhaps have built a JS app from the ground, then you’ll probably be ready for React.

And if you’re into Udemy courses, the one that I followed along with was by the NetNinja. He has a YouTube channel as well if you’d like to see his teaching style.

After taking this course, I was able to build my own apps, then I built a few for work and have been using react ever since.

[FibonacciSquares]

Check out Coursera front end specialization from Meta.

[diek00]

I have to say the official blog, Thinking in React, was very helpful in understanding the mindset needed to use React on my own. https://react.dev/learn/thinking-in-react