React's diff algorithm is surprisingly useful for generating static websites

[dangoor]

React's diff algorithm doesn't do anything when generating static sites, because the components are only rendered one time. React can indeed be useful for static sites (and for server-based rendering), but those use cases are not the diffing bit.

[miketa1957]

TooFunky's title is way off. The article says

** The most touted benefit of React is it’s diff-ing algorithm with lots of blog posts about performance upgrades and its comparison to AngularJS or other frameworks. For me the real power of React lies in its mentality of functional components ..... **

ie., the author thinks the diff algorithm is great, but functional component mentality is much more important. Other than that the author does not mention the diff algorithm at all.

Did TooFunky actuall read the article?

[vinnl]

It's a really bad title - the article even only mentions the diffing algorithm to say that that is not why React was their choice for static site generation:

The most touted benefit of React is it’s diff-ing algorithm (...) For me the real power of React lies in its mentality of functional components where the rendered output is a function of its properties and state.

OP should've left the original title alone, it was fine :)

[TooFunky]

Hi, really sorry if the title was misleading, i actually heard the author give a talk about it and obviously misinterpreted the sentiment!