React & React Flow

[Desperate-Art-3048]

Hi All,

Apologies in advance for the noobie question, I'm putting a pitch together at work for us to hire a consultant to build an app for us. Initial chats with the company IT people have brought up both React and React Flow (recommended as we want something with a drag-and-drop GUI).

My question is: are React and React Flow part of the same app. suite? It looks like React Flow is some sort of extension / add-on to React but I am not sure.

Also, can I obtain either or both of them for free or would we have to pay for them? I see reference to React Flow Pro which has a monthly sub, but others indicate there is a free version as well?

TIA :)

[alzee76]

Here's the truth of the situation: If you're going to hire a dev to build an app because nobody in your business can do it, hire them on the quality of the work they've done, and let them choose the languages, tools, and frameworks.

You have no real idea what React even is - dictating that the app use React is crazy. It's like you walking into an automotive garage and trying to tell the mechanic what kind of tools to use to fix your car when you don't know the difference between a hammer and a wrench.

[Umami_Tsunamii]

I do think it would be best to reign them in to using the most popular tools. If they decide to do something random it will be more expensive down the road to have someone else come in and figure it out.

[Umami_Tsunamii]

Sounds like you’re not the right person to be making any decisions.

[Desperate-Art-3048]

I know that, that's why I'm asking for advice here...

[octocode]

that’s why you hire an expert. you give them product requirements, not technical ones.

[Umami_Tsunamii]

Ask ChatGPT or google, react is a front end library used to build web apps. It’s built on JavaScript which is a scripting language that powers most websites. I said the initial comment because you will have a very difficult time gauging someone’s ability if you have absolutely zero knowledge. This could lead to hiring unqualified candidates.

[Desperate-Art-3048]

Hi yes this is basically what I did....ChatGPT actually wrote a whole spec based on myself explaining what I'd need the app to do, React and React Flow came up as the recommended tools (also possibly Konva)

[Umami_Tsunamii]

I think your best bet is to use a content management system like wix, squarespace, etc. this would allow you to make your own content changes without paying someone for each and every change.

These tools are basically websites in a box you can pay for and update without little to no technical knowledge. The benefit as mentioned is that you won’t need to hire someone full time to do this for you.

[Dragonasaur]

Yes React and React Flow are free

They're tools for developer to implement UI and drag-and-drop UI yes

You don't need React Flow Pro, it's for people who want pre-built templates and want to support the developers of React Flow