How to Learn React

If your current website or app is slow and you want to boost its speed, React is your best bet. This JavaScript library creates user interface elements without needing to reload the page, which has proven to be an asset for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 

Your choices for learning React might feel overwhelming if you’re starting for the first time. This guide will walk you through the different methods for learning React to help you make an informed decision. 

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library that allows new user interface (UI) components to appear on websites and apps without needing to reload the page. Jordan Walke, a Software Engineer at Meta, created it to make Facebook’s News Feed load faster. It was later added to Instagram and became open-source for the benefit of the public. Now it’s one of the go-to JavaScript libraries for most websites and apps.

Most people use React in web and mobile development because of its flexibility and versatility. A website or app would typically need to pull information from its server to generate new information or images. React enables websites and apps to skip that step by creating reusable components that can be added to the page as the user scrolls. That saves time and computer power for the website—and the user.

Read more about what React is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with React?

React is known for its uses with social media news feeds, such as Facebook and Instagram. That’s not the only use for it, though—you can use it for any online page constantly loading new components on-screen. React libraries are meant to save time by creating reusable interactive elements. They act as templates where the website or app can pull information instead of needing to access the server constantly. 

This skill is helpful for websites and apps such as Netflix, Amazon, and Uber Eats that generate new information without reloading the page. If you have aspirations to build websites or apps or work for a company that relies on them, React is an essential skill. With React in your professional toolkit, you’ll be an asset to any web or mobile development team you join. 

In-Person React Training

Most people are familiar with in-person training because that has been the standard for decades. Naturally, it comes with some perks and drawbacks that you’ll want to consider before choosing it out of habit. The main perk is that you’ll be guaranteed to have a distraction-free environment and equipment readily available to you. However, some drawbacks include the cost of commuting to and from the in-person location and that you might not have an in-person location nearby. 

You can easily find in-person React classes in your area, primarily if you use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me search engine, which they developed for that exact purpose. Some quality programming schools include PDX Code Guild, Epicodus, Ironhack, and Noble Desktop. If you can’t find a reasonably close in-person course, live online classes are another suitable option. 

Live Online React Training

Live online training has become increasingly popular in the last few years. It has the same expert instructors that teach in-person classes, but with the added benefit of learning on the go. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to take your courses with you and pick them up from where you left off. 

The one drawback to live online learning is that you’ll need to set up your own workspace, but there are many workarounds to ensure your experience is effective. Some online learning tips and tricks can help you create your own DIY workspace without needing to break the bank. Even if you can’t work in your home for any reason, you can always work at a cafe or library or step outside into your backyard. As long as you’re able to focus, the possibilities are endless. 

Some training centers, such as Noble Desktop, have been leading live online classes for the last few decades. Find some live online React classes that work with your schedule and see which one best fits your needs. They’ll be able to help you through tech support and give you some insight into how to approach remote work alongside excellent career advice. 

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re interested in React but aren’t quite ready to commit to a more comprehensive course, you might want to start with a quick lesson that gives you an overview of the skills you need to start. Most people benefit from taking a free tutorial that goes over the basics, like Noble Desktop’s free Intro to React seminar. This video tutorial teaches why most JavaScript programmers rely on React and use it for their websites and apps. 

You can find these online tutorials through most training facilities, including Scrimba, Udemy, and Noble Desktop. Take some time to find the one that best resonates with you. After you’ve taken these tutorials, you can decide whether you want to enroll in a React class. 

Read about more free React videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand React Classes

On-demand React tutorials have some stellar perks; the most notable benefit is that they’re entirely free. You can also take them asynchronously, meaning you don’t have to be at a live stream of the course to watch it. You can take them at any time that fits your schedule, which is perfect if you’re in the middle of a hectic part of your life. 

At the same time, they shouldn’t be used as your entire knowledge foundation. Once you’ve learned the basics, you’ll want to learn from an expert. Another critical point about video tutorials is that they’re not in real-time, which means you won’t get the same level of interaction that you would from an in-person or live online React course. Use self-paced and on-demand video tutorials to help you get an overview of the topic, and if it feels right, take a real-time class to take a deep dive to start your career. 

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

While React is easy to learn, you’ll want to take a class to explore it effectively, especially if you’re a beginner. You might be overwhelmed with your available choices and are unsure which one is best for you. Everyone has different learning styles and preferences, so you must experiment with different React resources to gauge which ones help. One of the best parts of self-directed learning is that you can choose your tools and resources as you go, and you don’t need to stick with your instructor’s preferences. 

It’s vital to consider your current schedule before you select a learning method. If you feel stressed juggling your full-time job and family commitments, you might not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class or video tutorials may be better since you can access them when you have an opening in your schedule. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Why Learn React?

React dramatically increases the speed of websites and apps and is an essential JavaScript library for every programming professional. Most people find React easy to learn, especially if you have a background in JavaScript. React has tremendous potential in every programmer’s career. You can use it with user interface (UI) design, web development, and mobile development. 

It’s widely supported by the online community, which you can find through the official React website. If you prefer talking to people directly, most people with experience with JavaScript have some React skills. It’ll be easy to find help when you need it. 

Read more about why you should learn React. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

At the bare minimum, you will need to know JavaScript to understand React to its fullest extent. Learning about user interface (UI) design is also helpful since React creates templates for UI components. For those who want to specialize in websites or mobile apps, you can look into web development or mobile development. 

Read more about the prerequisites for React. 

React and JavaScript are free and open source, which means they’re open for modification and available to the public. The main costs associated with React are connected to web development and iOS app development since you’ll need to pay fees to host your website, keep its domain name, and upload apps onto a store. 

Read more about the costs associated with React.

Most people find React more challenging if they don’t know JavaScript beforehand. That’s because JavaScript is the programming language used to make React libraries. Once you have those foundational skills, it’ll be easy to understand. You can also easily install React on your computer by following simple steps. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn React.

Learn React with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has plenty of resources to help you through your React learning journey, including courses and bootcamps that will help you land that job you’ve been eager to apply for. Most of these programs feature many benefits, including expert instructors leading each course, small class sizes for individualized instruction, and free retake options if you want to review some of the topics discussed. 

One of the first options worth checking out is the React Development Bootcamp, which will teach you everything you need to know about React for your career. JavaScript is the foundation of React, so it’s worth looking into the JavaScript Development Certificate to give you an overview of the programming language. If you plan to use React for websites, try the Full Stack Web Development Certificate instead. 

These programs will give you a certificate upon completion, which you can display on your LinkedIn for everyone, including future employers. Noble’s certificate programs also come with the opportunity to retake the course for free, an ideal scenario for those wanting extra practice and support. If you’re not ready to commit to a bootcamp or certificate program, you can look through all of the React courses and choose the one that works best for you. 

You can also learn more about React through Noble Desktop’s React Learn Hub guides. 

Key Insights

• React is easy to learn, but you’ll want to learn from a course because it’s an incredibly complex subject.
• The course you choose will depend on your schedule and your learning preferences.
• Many people prefer in-person and live online courses because of their interactive and real-time experience.
• On-demand courses and video tutorials are helpful when you have a hectic schedule.
• Comprehensive React training is always available through an on-demand, in-person, or live online course with Noble Desktop.