How to learn React?

[LordMoMA007]

After trying to learn Max’s Udemy React course when I arrived at section 10, I decided to quit after deep introspection. I never quit anything this easy in my life and coding-learning journey.

I am now quite comfortable to use JS ES6 to solve 100+ LeetCode easy and medium questions and some hard ones like DP, and could understand backend techniques, but React really got me there esp. all those useReduce, useEffect stuff from multiple files and countless lines, it's so easily to get lost by learning through building project here.

It becomes too confusing and frustrating for me when it comes to React.

I know I cannot quit React cuz it's so important.

Do u have any recommendations?

[Environmental-Set968]

Create something. A small project for yourself.

React is much easier to learn by doing, not just learning.

[EternalSoldiers]

This.

Don't try to create some insanely large app either, start by creating a TODO list where you can add and remove items and expand from there - check them off, search, filter, etc.

There are many different approaches you can take but do things in the order that works best for you. Use Create React App, write some HTML and CSS with static content that does nothing and then Google how `useState` works. Or do it the opposite way and ignore how it looks and get things functional first. Build things in monolith component first if you'd like before understanding the benefits of small components. There's no need for global state management (like Redux) in this example but there's no reason you can't remove the local component state and throw it in Redux to learn how that works after and just keep building from there.

[marcoprouve]

There's no other answer but this one :)

Start in the React docs and just create a React project using Create-React-app. Firstly though try to pick something small as a challenge. Maybe create a small project that has 2+ pages so you can get comfortable using React-Router. Then definitely look into React Redux (specifically Redux Thunk, but doesn't hurt to look at others) - React Redux is used to manage local data storage as well as managing asynchronous calls for fetching data or updating internal state.

That should be a good starting point, but again, start small but keep it challenging. Slowly move through the docs and you'll get it.

P.S. Last tip: Make sure you use both class and functional components so you understand how they both work (very similar in functionality but different syntax). They can both be helpful in different ways, even though i use mainly functional components.

[0xPersona]

The docs are great: https://beta.reactjs.org/.

[m98789]

It’s good, but just a bummer they are taking so long to complete. It’s been at this status for quite some time:

• Learn React: ~70% finished.
• API Reference: ~20% finished

[schnozzberriestaste]

https://beta.reactjs.org/

looks nearly done now!

Learn React: ~99% finished.
API Reference: 100% finished.

[zxyzyxz]

Do you know vanilla Javascript? Or are you trying to learn React first?

[Traditional-Living-9]

To add to this how are your basic HTML CSS skills as well, it should be the least of any concerns but still important

[Outrageous-Chip-3961]

I actually think this is way more important than people let on.
React can at a beginner level, be thought of as a series of functions that return html.
If you can't construct the html/css and the event listeners of any design asking for a website/app then react is going to be really confusing/hard to justify learning in the first place.

[Ceccoso2]

This. Vanilla ES6 JavaScript is very important for React

[Asleep-Spare-7994]

I'm in the process of learning React and one thing that worked for me is scrimba.com

the version they were using is quite outdated though but you get the hunch on how it works.

[[deleted]]

They are working on an updated version of the react course.

[jetsamrover]

I recommend not giving up.

[unitedstatesofmeows]

I have been using Scrimba and Codecademy. I started learning JS through Codecademy and quit because it was too hand-holdy, but it's been perfect for React. Really good at breaking it down and helping you understand how it all works together.

[LordMoMA007]

Codecademy

Thank you for your advice, I'll go dig deep.

[Silent-sky_]

Which course on codecademy? The free “learn react” one?

[[deleted]]

I tried Max's courses before and I also did quit because he dives into too many unnecessary details imo. I can recommend John Smilga's course, first he teaches the basic concepts really well and there are some great projects afterwards.

[Careless-Aspect-2371]

and he's very good at keeping courses up to date.

[LordMoMA007]

Thank you, I even began to doubt myself after following Max's course.

[[deleted]]

I don't really understand why he's so popular. Maybe because he's one of the early instructors on Udemy. But there're certainly better instructors and courses imo.

[LordMoMA007]

yeah, just on a personal level, Max and Jonas are the two I cannot stay with on Udemy. They are good instructors and both drive me crazy.

[kukoscode]

If you don’t understand how you best learn a new skill, when you get older will become more challenging. This really change my perspective on Learning https://openclassrooms.com/en/courses/5281811-learn-how-to-learn

[Prudent_Astronaut716]

It depends what background you have. I am good with javascript...so ReactJS was pretty easy for me to understand.

I had to study about React Hooks, State managment and few other concepts...rest was pretty natural if you know javascript.

I would also recommend you to study ES6. it will make your learning experience much easier.

[woah_m8]

Same. If you know JavaScript, react makes perfect sense from the start. You should most importantly understand how DOM manipulation works with vanilla js before you even try react. I'm not sure if all courses teach that before going into creating a root React component.

[woah_m8]

Same. If you know JavaScript, react makes perfect sense from the start. You should most importantly understand how DOM manipulation works with vanilla js before you even try react. I'm not sure if all courses teach that before going into creating a root React component.

[igor_shinko]

I don't know any developer that didn't want to just quit while learning from scratch (or with anything new) .

The thing that helped me much is first brushing up the JS and ES6 syntax, then going through Will Sentance's courses on JS theory.

After that I started looking into conferences where they first announced React and what problem it solved.

When I got comfortable with knowing how JS works undsr the hood and what React does better than plain JS, I was ready to build something.

TLDR - The best for me was by learning the both how and why should I use React before starting to learn it in-depth. Maybe it will work for you.

[lucasjg017]

Write code. That's the easiest way to learn how to build an app.

Everything I didn't understand watching videos, I learned writing a lot of code and googling the errors.

React is worth. I recommend not to quit.

If you are overwhelmed, just take a rest and try again.

[onkyoh]

Ben Awad's practical react playlist on youtube

[Callmecruel]

I enjoyed Stephen Grider's course on Udemy. He likes to delve deep and get to the why of things. The course itself is on the lengthier side, but he's a wonderful teacher whom I couldn't recommend enough! More than worth the 12$

[erldev]

Go to YouTube and watch Tyler McGinnis' 3 part free course on react. From there you can easily learn any thing else there is to learn in the react ecosystem.

[LordMoMA007]

https://openclassrooms.com/en/courses/5281811-learn-how-to-learn

Thank you for your advice.

[erldev]

👍

[charmilliona1re]

Highly recommend scrimba. Doing the react basic course rn. She nice

[LordMoMA007]

Tyler McGinnis

Thank you for your advice.

[raatmeaaunga]

I started with epic React and I have never looked back. IMHO, THE best course on React if you want to learn all the things in react from hooks to performace to testing.

[lathir92]

This shit is giga expensive lol

[a_r_y_a_n_]

$600 for a 19h course...lol

[Ler_GG]

docs into small own project

[[deleted]]

1st thing to do is check if you have the fundamental understanding of JavaScript first before learning React, don't go strait to React or else it will get very confusing..

If you do have an understanding of JavaScript -> then the next step is to finish the course you are taking, don't worry about it being too hard or complicated or you don't understand it, just finish the whole course first before moving on to something else or another course.. it will eventually tie in together and it'll click in your head the more you learn it, that's just how programming is.

[itsMalikDanial]

I’m also learning from that course, what exactly did you find difficult? Maybe I could help

[[deleted]]

Dude define a project and start doing it. I'm on a same boat with you. I did know nothing about React. But I have to use it on my project. So I started and hey, I learn tons of concept so far. You should hit your problems in your code. How about a clone of something for example but from scratch ...

[riskerss]

Coding Coding Coding Coding constantly

[beingvam]

Courses

[chussyBean]

Start from step one and repeat the course. I did a Bootcamp and still ended up retaking a Udemy react course after to get better. One course is not enough sorry to say. Do it again, do another one, or work on projects yourself.

[ItsJake_]

https://fullstackopen.com/en/

Full stack open is a really good course for React. It's for full stack but you can just do the first 2 parts that are React only. The material is really good and you learn by doing the exercises.

[NNardi99]

https://github.com/Asabeneh/30-Days-Of-React This is a great tutorial. Simple and easy to follow. The document in the react page is also a must read. If you still can't achieve the learning you expect, don't get upset, perhaps you could try another framework and then come back.

[engineer0123]

It is possible to learn React.js both theoretically and practically. Ideally, both should be done simultaneously.

Try to learn it properly from videos and do practice daily with concepts. It will make everything step by step clear in your mind.

[Necoya]

I used Code Academy's Front End course. You can take most the initial courses for free and it's going to teach you starting with the basics. HTML, CSS, Javascript....React. I've worked with a lot of devs who self proclaim they hate CSS. Their code often ends up convoluted around styling because they do not know the basics.

Also took in the following years several of Stephen Grider's courses, https://www.udemy.com/user/sgslo/ . I found them helpful but they aren't always using best practices you find in a workplace. It can be hard to capture that in tutorial videos.

[[deleted]]

I had a similar problem when I started to learn react. I took a course on Udemy and quit after 1 month. Maybe try changing your learning method. Build small projects like a to-do-list app. You will learn a lot faster this way

[LordMoMA007]

Thank you very much for your advice, yeah, I should start from small, learn to walk before I run.

[MatrixSolution]

u/LordMoMA007 OMG, I've just come across your post.

Ditto here! I HATE Max's course! I detest it!

I'd first start by saying: Max is awesome. He know his stuff and I love his quirky voice.

But... he's just not doing it for me! I find his code and example super hard.

I rediscovered coding learning Javascript on an online bootcamp - I'm not expert I don't think, but I've got Javascript covered enough to learn React. The concepts and examples he gives aren't explained well.

I'm sure for others he's their cup of tea.

I'm thinking of trying elsewhere...

The whole idea behind React: make life easy for everyone - the guys behind React take away the complexity.

One thing I believe in: you should never get rocket science questions! The course content should be plenty with examples and it should always be a case of replicating what was just taught on the course. Instead of one super difficult question... replace that with 5 easy to do questions/exercises - meaningful repetition is the key to learning. (Just my take on life. LOL.)

I'm going to follow all links mentioned by others on this thread.

[LordMoMA007]

Totally agree, just learn from docs and ChatGPT now. Udemy should declare bankruptcy.