My Reaction to React

React seems to be the great equalizer in regards to vanilla Javascript purists and those with a mindset aimed towards ease of construction and compilation. It appears to be the result of many heads getting together making major strides in understanding the need for simplification. Javascript is a mighty language; a real coding language that somehow found itself wrapped up in the midst of its sissy counterparts. HTML and CSS are not real languages but they too carry their own weight with purpose and great promise. Javascript, however is the real programming language that assumes a greater control over html which can be limiting.

With HTML, the coder is limited to a certain semantic vernacular which serves a purpose and serves it well. CSS is the Robin to HTML’s Batman. It isn’t controlling and makes few impacting decisions but when used properly, it really lifts HTML to a level that it might otherwise never realize. Javascript provides the ability to manipulate (and re-manipulate) these two and allow the programmer to assume full control over the DOM.

React is still new to me but appears to be a promising environment for Javascript developers. It allows JSX coding and vanilla Javascript and even HTML is allowed but the syntax seems to be slightly different. It isn’t an end to writing vanilla javascript but it greatly enhances the programmers ability to roll out compartmentalized UI elements and being that JSX is shorter than vanilla; it should prove faster under most circumstances. I’m most interested in learning more about how “state” allows direct communication between React.js components and can’t wait to get to a point where I can witness it first-hand on an application that I have built myself. Happy Reacting.