Creating Your First React JS Application: A Step-Wise Tutorial

If you are a developer, chances are you're familiar with ReactJS - but even if you're just entering the web and app development industry, you've probably heard of it a few times. Assuming you have a basic understanding of the React library - its characteristics, pros, and cons, you might be wondering how to actually go about creating a web application using ReactJS.

It can be a complicated, multi-step process involving the development of build systems, code transpilers, and directory structures to ensure cross-browser compatibility. Fortunately, there's a solution that eliminates a lot of these headaches: the Create React App.

This tool includes all the necessary JavaScript packages such as basic linting, testing, and building systems required to successfully build and run your ReactJS app. 

In this blog, we will look at how to create a ReactJS application from scratch, making your development workflow even easier.

Understanding the Create React App

Create React App is a valuable tool and generator designed for new developers, facilitating the development and execution of React projects. It alleviates manual configuration, eliminating concerns about designing an intricate build system like Webpack.

By utilizing the Create React App, developers can avoid the complexities of configuring dependencies like Webpack and Babel for their React projects. This streamlined approach enables them to concentrate solely on coding the React application. The Create React App also enhances the developer experience by establishing the development environment and optimizing the production application.

Prerequisites for ReactJs

To begin with the development of a web application in ReactJS, it is essential to have the following dependencies in place on your desktop:

• Install Node.js and NPM: Visit the official Node.js website at nodejs.org and download the latest version of Node.js. 
• Upgrade Node.js: If you already have Node.js installed, upgrading it to the latest version is recommended. You can check your Node.js version by running the command node -v in your terminal. 
• Upgrade NPM: Once you have Node.js installed, you can upgrade NPM to the latest version by running the command npm install -g npm in your terminal. 
• Choose a Code Editor: Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular web development choice and provides excellent React support. You can download and install VS Code from code.visualstudio.com.
• Install VS Code Extensions: After installing VS Code, you can enhance your development environment by installing React-specific extensions.
• Set up Create React App: Once you have the necessary dependencies and the code editor set up, you can create a new React app using Create React App.

It will compile your ReactJs code and open the app in your default browser. Any changes you make to the code will automatically reload the app.

Benefits of using the Create React App

Create React App (CRA) provides several benefits for web development:

• Easy Setup

CRA abstracts away the configuration and setup process, making starting a new React project quick and straightforward. It manages every necessary dependency, build tool, and configuration, so you may concentrate on writing code instead of spending time on the initial setup.

• Preconfigured Build Process

CRA sets up a build process with optimized production builds, including code minification, bundling, and efficient caching. It uses tools like Webpack and Babel under the hood, but you don't need to stress over their configuration. It ensures that your application is optimized for performance and ready for deployment.

• Development Server with Hot Reloading

CRA has a built-in development server that automatically updates your application in the browser whenever you change your code. It supports hot reloading, which means you can see your changes instantly without manually refreshing the page. It speeds up development and improves productivity.

• Modern JavaScript Features

CRA supports modern JavaScript features and allows you to write code using ES6 syntax, including arrow functions, destructuring, modules, and more. It leverages Babel to transpile your code, ensuring it works across browsers and environments.

• Extensive Ecosystem

CRA is widely adopted and has a large and active community. You can benefit from a vast ecosystem of libraries, tools, and tutorials designed explicitly for React development. Integrating popular libraries like React Router, Axios, and Redux into your project is easy.

• Configuration Customization

While CRA provides a preconfigured setup, it allows you to customize the configuration when needed. You can "eject" from the CRA setup to gain complete control over the build configuration, allowing you to make advanced customizations or integrate additional tools as per your project requirements.

• Automatic Dependency Management

CRA handles dependency management using npm or Yarn. It sets up a package.json file where you can manage your project's dependencies, including React, React DOM, and other libraries. It simplifies adding or updating dependencies and ensures consistent package versions across different environments.

• Testing Support

CRA includes support for testing using tools like Jest and React Testing Library. It sets up a basic testing configuration and provides an example test file to get you started with unit testing your components. You can easily extend the testing setup and write tests for your application.

Create React App simplifies development, enhances productivity, and provides a solid foundation for building React applications. It permits developers to focus on writing code and building user interfaces without getting bogged down by complex configuration and setup tasks.

Steps to Create ReactJS Application

To create a ReactJS application, you can follow these steps:

• Step 1: Setting Up the Boilerplate

• Make sure that you have installed Node.js on your system. 
• Launch a terminal or command prompt and certify that Node.js is installed by running the command node -v.
• Install the Create React App (CRA) tool by running the command npm install -g create-react-app.

• Step 2: Create a New React Project

• Launch a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you wish to create your project.
• Run the command npx create-react-app my-app, replacing "my-app" with the desired name for your project.
• It will create a new directory called "my-app" (or the name you specified) with the basic structure and files for a React project.

• Step 3: Navigate to the Project Directory

Change your directory to the newly created project directory using the command cd my-app (replace "my-app" with your project's name).

• Step 4: Start the Development Server

• In the project directory, run the command npm start.
• It will start the development server and open your application in a web browser at http://localhost:3000.
• You can now see the default React application running and make changes to the code.

• Step 5: Explore the Project Structure

• Open the project directory in a code editor or IDE.
• The main code files are located in the "src" directory.
• The "index.js" file is the entry point for the application.
• The "App.js" file contains the root component of the application.

• Step 6: Make Changes and Experiment

• You can modify the code in the project to create your desired React application.
• Open the "src/App.js" file and start changing the JSX code.
• You can create new components, import libraries, and add your logic.

• Step 7: Test and Deploy

• As you make changes, the development server will automatically update the application in the browser.
• Use the browser's developer tools to debug and inspect your application.
• Once satisfied with your application, you can build a production-ready version using the command npm run build.
• The build output will be placed in the "build" directory, ready to be deployed to a web server.

These steps will get you started with creating a ReactJS application using Create React App. You can continue building and expanding your application using React's component-based architecture and ecosystem.

Conclusion

We have laid a solid foundation for building a noteworthy ReactJS application and embarking on a journey to become a skilled React developer. Throughout the blog, we have explored various aspects and applications of ReactJS aspects. However, it is essential to note that there are many more advanced applications that ReactJS has to offer, and this series only covers the bare basics. 

If you are eager to deepen your understanding of ReactJS and pursue a career as a professional React developer, enrolling in a comprehensive ReactJS application tutorial is crucial. To ensure you stay up-to-date and ready to tackle industry challenges, Skill-Lync offers top-notch ReactJS courses, which can help enhance your expertise in this domain. 

Investing in your ReactJS education through Skill-Lync will enhance your career prospects and empower you to build robust, scalable, and efficient React applications.