1. What is React & why should you use it?
React is a JavaScript library (not a full framework) created by Facebook (now Meta) in 2013. Its only job is to help you build beautiful, fast, and interactive user interfaces — especially for single-page applications (SPAs) like Instagram, Netflix, WhatsApp Web, Airbnb, etc.
Why do millions of developers (and companies) love React in 2026?
- Component-based thinking → You build your UI like Lego blocks. Each piece (button, navbar, card, modal) is a reusable component. Change one → only that part updates. Super clean!
- Declarative style → You just say what the UI should look like at any moment (based on data). React figures out how to make it happen efficiently.
- Virtual DOM magic → React keeps a super-lightweight copy of the real webpage (virtual DOM). When something changes, it compares old vs new version and updates only the tiny parts that actually changed → insanely fast performance.
- Huge ecosystem → React Router for navigation, Zustand/Redux for state, Tailwind for styling, Next.js for full-stack, shadcn/ui for beautiful components, React Query for data fetching… everything you need is already there.
- React Native → Same code → mobile apps for iOS + Android.
- Massive job market → Still the #1 most in-demand frontend skill in 2026 (way ahead of others).
- React 19 (latest in 2026) → Even better forms, actions, server components, optimistic updates, new hooks like use, and improved performance.
Analogy: React is like a super-smart chef who only cares about cooking delicious food (UI). You tell him the ingredients (data/state), he prepares everything perfectly and serves it fast. Other tools might make you cook + wash dishes + clean the kitchen too.
2. React vs other popular frameworks/libraries (2026 comparison)
| Framework/Library | Type | Learning Curve | Speed (Dev + Build) | Job Market (2026) | Best For | Community Love |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| React | Library | Medium | Very Fast (with Vite) | ★★★★★ (Biggest) | Almost everything, especially SPAs & mobile (React Native) | Very high |
| Vue 3/4 | Framework | Easy | Fast | ★★★★ | Quick prototyping, progressive apps | Very high |
| Angular | Full Framework | Steep | Medium | ★★★★ | Enterprise, large teams, strict structure | Medium |
| Svelte 5 | Compiler | Easy | Blazing Fast | ★★★ | High-performance apps, small bundles | Extremely high |
| Next.js (React) | Meta-framework | Medium | Very Fast | ★★★★★ | Full-stack apps, SEO, server rendering | Extremely high |
| Solid.js | Library | Medium | Extremely Fast | ★★ | Performance freaks | Growing |
Quick verdict for 2026:
- Want maximum jobs + huge community + works everywhere? → React (or Next.js built on React)
- Want something super simple and beginner-friendly? → Vue
- Want smallest bundle size + fastest runtime? → Svelte
- Building big enterprise apps with lots of structure? → Angular
Most people (including me) recommend starting with React because:
- You’ll learn concepts used everywhere
- You can easily switch to Next.js, Remix, Vue, Svelte later
- Biggest ecosystem & job opportunities
3. Setting up your development environment (2026 recommended way)
You need:
- Node.js → Latest LTS version (v20 or v22 in 2026) Download from: https://nodejs.org Check: Open terminal → node -v and npm -v
- Code Editor → VS Code (free, best for React) Must-have extensions:
- ESLint
- Prettier
- Tailwind CSS IntelliSense
- React snippets (like “rafce” for component)
- Auto Rename Tag
- Bracket Pair Colorizer
- Best way to create a React app in 2026 → Vite + React (Create React App is officially deprecated — slow, old, not recommended anymore)
Bash
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# 1. Create new project (choose React + TypeScript for future-proof) npm create vite@latest my-first-react-app -- --template react-ts # 2. Go inside folder cd my-first-react-app # 3. Install dependencies npm install # 4. Start dev server (opens automatically at http://localhost:5173) npm run dev |
Boom! You now have a modern, blazing-fast React app with:
- Instant Hot Module Replacement (changes appear in <1 second)
- Super fast build times
- Built-in TypeScript support (optional but amazing)
4. Your very first React app – let’s understand it!
Open the project in VS Code and look at src/App.tsx:
tsx
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import { useState } from 'react' import './App.css' function App() { const [count, setCount] = useState(0) return ( <> <h1>Vite + React</h1> <div className="card"> <button onClick={() => setCount((count) => count + 1)}> count is {count} </button> <p> Edit <code>src/App.tsx</code> and save to test HMR </p> </div> <p className="read-the-docs"> Click on the Vite and React logos to learn more </p> </> ) } export default App |
Super simple explanation:
- function App() → This is your component (a function that returns UI)
- useState(0) → Gives you a piece of state (like a memory box) + a function to change it
- return (…) → This is JSX — looks like HTML but it’s JavaScript!
- {count} → JavaScript expression inside curly braces
- onClick={() => …} → When button is clicked, run this function
Your first exercise (do it now!):
- Change the <h1> to: <h1>Hello Webliance! Welcome to React 2026 🚀</h1>
- Add your name:
tsx
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const myName = "Webliance"; <h1>Hello {myName}! Welcome to React 2026 🚀</h1> |
- Save → watch it update instantly! 🎉
Key Takeaways – Chapter 1
- React = library for building fast, component-based UIs
- Uses Virtual DOM → updates only what’s needed
- Vite is the modern, fastest way to start React projects
- JSX = HTML inside JavaScript
- Components are just functions returning JSX
- React 19 (2026) makes forms, data loading, and performance even better
