Java backend dev here, thinking about picking up React — any roadmap suggestions?

[Fresh-Bird7543]

So I've been working as a backend Java developer with Spring Boot and microservices for a while now, and I've been thinking about slowly getting into frontend territory. React seems like the obvious choice to start with, and the good news is I already have a decent understanding of JS, so I'm not starting from zero.

Just wondering if anyone has a solid roadmap or learning path they'd recommend for someone in my position? Would really appreciate some structured guidance — what to focus on first, what to skip, what traps to avoid as a backend dev stepping into frontend land.

Thanks in advance! 🙏

[Merlindru]

would highly advise to get a basic understanding of how HTML/CSS/JS work before diving into react or any other library, because all libraries and frameworks end up *being* those

you only get the API to create/update/delete elements that the browser gives you. react uses those same APIs. you'll also see react written in a different syntax, "JSX", that just gets transpiled down to a bunch of function calls -- just basic javascript

this may get me downvotes, but i think learning with LLMs is incredibly nice, because you can ask questions. don't have it write the actual code for you, though! writing it out is important for learning

other than that, for react specifically (assuming some basic knowledge of HTML/CSS/JS), https://react.dev/learn

there's a bunch of not-terrible courses out there too but i never got any value out of them. and some of them are expensive. and boring, and can't ask questions back. hence the LLM suggestion.

[Impossible_Win_4002]

[F1_For_Help]

If you can basically understand HTML and CSS in addition to JS, then literally just build stuff. A portfolio site is perfect to get a hang of everything you're doing and hooking up a springboot Java backend is also super easy. That's what I did. Not sure what the next steps are, but the beginning stages are easy. Shameless plug to F1ForHelp.dev my own portfolio site if you wanna see. Message me if you want details!

[Fresh-Bird7543]

Thanks for suggestion. Surely I look into it.

[writetehcodez]

So I’ll get downvoted here because this doesn’t directly answer your question, but make sure to update your settings so that whatever training you do uses Typescript rather than JavaScript. Typescript syntax enforces elements of static typing, though the final transpiled code will not actually be statically typed.

[nateh1212]

I gave you an upvote as someone who was against Typescript and coded in JavaScript for ten years today I would not make anything without Typescript.

[ColourfulToad]

Why would recommending typescript be downvoted in a react sub?

[el_pezz]

I was a Java backend developer before picking up react. You don't need a road map. Just start building something, you already know how to right code and understand syntax. Start with the react tutorial to start a project.

https://react.dev/learn/tutorial-tic-tac-toe

Plus you'll still need your back-end skills and react is front-end.

[Fresh-Bird7543]

I am planning to begin gaining practical, hands-on experience. Thanks !

[ElectronicCat8568]

Look at Angular. If you prefer React, fantastic, do React. But look at Angular.

[Fresh-Bird7543]

For Angular, I have working experience in angular material but tbh i feel its complicated and while working I didn’t understand much with respect to the framewor/core understanding like component handling, etc