Introduction to React.js: A Beginner’s Guide

React.js is an open-source JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building dynamic user interfaces, especially for single-page applications (SPAs). It enables developers to create reusable UI components and efficiently manage state and rendering.

Since its launch in 2013, React has gained immense popularity due to its performance, modularity, and vast ecosystem. It’s used by leading tech companies like Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, and Airbnb.

Why React.js?

1. Component-Based Architecture

React applications are composed of independent, reusable components. This approach encourages modular development, making code easier to read, debug, and maintain.
Example:
Imagine building a webpage with a reusable Button component:

function Button(props) {
  return <button>{props.label}</button>;
}

You can reuse this button across your app by passing different label props.

2. Virtual DOM

React uses a Virtual DOM to optimize rendering. Instead of manipulating the actual DOM directly, React updates a lightweight copy of it first. This ensures only the necessary elements are re-rendered, making updates faster…