Is React a Hard Class?

The difficulty of learning React will largely depend on the subjects and topics that your chosen course covers. Beginner React classes cover basic topics like component architecture.

State, props, functional components and class components, styling(CSS) in React, and connecting to APIs with React apps, and are fairly accessible. Advanced courses covering topics like React Router, Webpack, server rendering, and Redux can be more challenging. Ultimately, though, anyone with enough passion and commitment can become an expert in React. 

What is Hard about Learning React?

While React is ‌considered easy to learn, there are some challenging components that you’ll encounter. Below is a list of the top difficulties, but keep in mind that each of these are conquerable with the right attitude and a top-quality class. 

Steep Learning Curve

Starting with React can be tough, especially if you're new to web development. Concepts like JSX, components, and state management might seem like a maze. Plus, if you’re entirely new to programming in general, you’ll also have to factor in mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before you can begin with React. 

State Management Challenges

State management is the process of maintaining knowledge of an application's inputs across multiple related data flows. This involves managing lots of different pieces, especially in big projects, and can create complex setups and potential problems. Luckily, there are tools to help you manage this, like Redux.

Key Props

React uses keys to update and reorder elements in a list so if you forget to provide a key prop or if the keys are not unique, React gets lost. As a result, things can get mixed up and you might end up with unexpected bugs in your user interface (UI).

Components Over-Fragmentation

It’s important to break down UI into granular components in React but being a little too heavy-handed with your fragmentation can lead to too many tiny components, increasing navigational complexity and making the codebase harder to understand.

Staying Up to Date 

One of the main benefits of the React ecosystem is its continuous evolution. The tool is adaptable and inventive minds are always finding new ways to better utilize it, but this can make staying up to date with the best practices and tools overwhelming. Engaging with the React community through official channels (like the React blog) and attending React conferences or meetups can help. It’s also a good idea to set aside time for regular codebase audits to update outdated patterns or tools.

How Can I Make Learning React Easier?

Online or In-Person Training and Bootcamps

Live training and bootcamps, whether attended virtually or in-person, tend to be the fastest way to learn React. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment with routine accountability check-ins. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. You’ll master React the quickest in a full-time course but any class with scheduled times will help you learn faster than trying to master React entirely on your own or in an on-demand program. 

On-Demand Classes 

Also known as self-paced, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered. These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class. It’s very easy to lose momentum or fall behind when you don’t have any outside accountability, so these courses tend to take longer than a structured live course. 

Free Resources 

You could take advantage of free resources like YouTube making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Code Academy offers some free intro courses in React that are ideal for beginners and Glitch: React Starter Kit is a five-part video course with interactive code examples. Coursera is another option, with various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of React, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources. 

Best Ways to Learn React Without Difficulty

Live React courses are an ideal learning method for those entirely new to the field. Live online classes are great for those who prefer a solitary learning environment with minimal distractions. They allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose), providing more flexibility. Additionally, if you live in an area with limited (or no) in-person options, online classes open up more opportunities for you. 

If you thrive in a collaborative classroom environment, look into in-person classes. You’ll be able to work with other students, make new friends, and receive feedback and input from your instructor in the moment. These classes also provide a higher level of accountability and are a superb choice for those who struggle to keep themselves motivated or on task. They are, of course, less flexible than an online class, but often their advantages outweigh this one disadvantage. 

Noble Desktop offers in-depth courses both live online and in-person at their New York office. Their React Development Bootcamp covers everything from the basics of React and Node.js to advanced components and server deployment. You'll start with learning how to compose components, the foundations of React, and then move on to building dynamic fully functioning web applications and deploying them using AWS (Amazon Web Services). This Noble Desktop course (and many others) boasts small class sizes, one free retake, and setup assistance. If you’re interested in pursuing further education, this course counts towards three of Noble’s certificate programs: Full-Stack Web Development, Software Engineering, and JavaScript Development. 

Want to take your skills to the next level? Noble Desktop’s JavaScript Development Certificate is a longer professional training program that will teach you how to build web apps with JavaScript, one of the most popular programming languages in the world. You’ll learn to master React and Node.js, create APIs with Express.js, and work with databases with MongoDB. This course also covers additional topics like Browser Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) built into web browsers, third-party APIs, and third-party frameworks and libraries. If you’re a new developer or an existing one coming from a different background, learning JavaScript will up your game to web application development.

Similarly, the Full-Stack Web Development Certificate helps you develop the skills and knowledge to meet the growing demand for developing and maintaining web applications. This course will teach you to use programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript to program memorable, interactive web pages. You’ll also use the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js) to add databases, APIs, AWS and other server environments, and interactivity for those web applications. Focused on a series of projects, you’ll leave this course with a portfolio of working web applications to show to potential employers.

Finally, Noble’s Software Engineering Certificate covers HTML & CSS, JavaScript, and React, and back end development with Python, Django, and Node.js. You’ll learn HTML to mark up web pages and CSS for styling; the fundamentals of JavaScript; Git for version control; and how to use Flexbox and Grid to layout, align, and reorder web page content, as well as make it adapt to different size screens. The second part of the course will cover JavaScript programming concepts, including variables, data types, loops, and DOM. You’ll also build your very own desktop application using React and deploy it using the AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud environment. Finally, you'll master the lexical syntax of Python and quickly move to more advanced topics like dictionaries, custom functions, and sorting algorithms. You'll then progress to object-oriented programming, working with APIs, and querying databases with SQL. By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects, a polished resume, and a professional LinkedIn profile; be prepared for common interview questions; and be armed with tips for applying to jobs.