React Development
React Development
Welcome to the React module! In this session, you'll learn how to build modern, interactive web applications using React - one of the most popular JavaScript libraries for building user interfaces.
Session Overview
React revolutionized frontend development by introducing a component-based architecture that makes building complex UIs manageable and maintainable. By the end of this session, you'll have hands-on experience building real applications with React.
What You'll Build
Main Project: TaskMaster Application
A fully functional todo list application featuring:
- ✅ Component-based architecture - Break UI into reusable pieces
- ✅ State management - Dynamic data that updates the UI
- ✅ Event handling - Respond to user interactions
- ✅ CRUD operations - Create, Read, Update, Delete tasks
- ✅ Filtering - View all, active, or completed tasks
- ✅ localStorage persistence - Data survives page refreshes
- ✅ Form validation - Handle user input properly
- ✅ Responsive design - Works on all screen sizes
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Core React Skills
- ✅ Understand component-based architecture and how to break UIs into components
- ✅ Master React core concepts: JSX, props, state, and hooks
- ✅ Build functional single-page applications from scratch
- ✅ Understand unidirectional data flow and how data moves through components
Modern JavaScript (ES6+)
- ✅ Apply modern JavaScript syntax: destructuring, spread operator, template literals
- ✅ Use array methods effectively:
.map(),.filter(),.reduce() - ✅ Write clean, concise code with arrow functions
Practical Development
- ✅ Handle user events (clicks, form submissions, input changes)
- ✅ Manage forms with controlled components
- ✅ Render dynamic lists with proper keys
- ✅ Implement conditional rendering patterns
- ✅ Persist data using browser localStorage
- ✅ Debug React applications with DevTools
Key Concepts Covered
Part 1: Foundations
React Fundamentals:
- What is React and why use it?
- Virtual DOM and reconciliation
- Component-based architecture
- JSX syntax and transpilation
Modern JavaScript:
- Arrow functions
- Array methods (map, filter, reduce)
- Destructuring (objects and arrays)
- Spread operator
- Template literals
Part 2: React Core Concepts
Components & Data:
- Functional components
- Props: passing data down
- State: managing dynamic data with
useState - Lifting state up
User Interaction:
- Event handling
- Form handling (controlled components)
- Preventing default behavior
Advanced Patterns:
- useEffect hook for side effects
- Component lifecycle
- Rendering lists with
.map() - Conditional rendering patterns
- localStorage integration
Part 3: Hands-On Practice
Building TaskMaster:
- Project setup with Vite
- Component structure and organization
- Implementing CRUD operations
- Adding filtering functionality
- Styling with CSS
- Testing and debugging
Session Structure
Morning Session
Foundations (Part 1)
- Introduction to React
- JavaScript fundamentals review
- JSX and component basics
- Setting up development environment
☕ Break (15 minutes)
Mid-Morning Session
Core Concepts (Part 2)
- Props and state deep dive
- Event handling and forms
- useEffect and lifecycle
- Live coding demos
🍽️ Lunch Break
Afternoon Session
Hands-On Practice
- Build TaskMaster application (Part 1)
- Implement core features
- Add filtering and editing
☕ Break (15 minutes)
Late Afternoon Session
Complete & Polish
- Finish TaskMaster (Part 2)
- Add styling and UX improvements
- Code review and debugging
- Q&A and wrap-up
Prerequisites
Before starting this session, you should have:
- Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Familiarity with ES6 syntax (we'll review key concepts)
- Node.js and npm installed on your computer
- A code editor (VS Code recommended)
- Git for version control
What Makes React Special?
Declarative
Describe what you want the UI to look like, not how to update it. React handles the DOM manipulation for you.
// Instead of imperative DOM manipulation:
document.getElementById('count').innerHTML = count;
// You write declarative React:
<div>{count}</div>Component-Based
Build encapsulated components that manage their own state, then compose them to make complex UIs.
Learn Once, Write Anywhere
React skills transfer to React Native (mobile apps), Next.js (server-side rendering), and many other frameworks.
Strong Ecosystem
Massive community, excellent tooling, countless libraries, and strong job market demand.
Development Setup
We'll be using:
- Vite - Fast build tool and dev server
- React 18 - Latest stable version
- React DevTools - Browser extension for debugging
- Modern browsers - Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
Tips for Success
- Type Along - Don't just watch, code along with the examples
- Ask Questions - No question is too basic
- Experiment - Try breaking things to understand how they work
- Practice - The more you code, the more it clicks
- Take Breaks - Your brain needs time to process new concepts
- Debug Mindset - Embrace errors as learning opportunities
Resources Available
Throughout this session, you'll have access to:
- Step-by-step code examples
- Complete project solution
- Cheat sheets for React concepts
- Links to official documentation
- Practice challenges and exercises
Ready to Start?
Click through the sections in order:
- Foundations - Learn React fundamentals and JavaScript essentials
- Core Concepts - Master React hooks, state, and effects
- Summary - Review, practice challenges, and next steps
Let's begin your React journey! 🚀