book

React Key Concepts

Name: React Key Concepts
Author: Maximilian Schwarzmüller
ISBN: 9781803234502

by Maximilian Schwarzmüller

December 2022

Beginner to intermediate

590 pages

10h 26m

English

Packt Publishing

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React Key Concepts
Preface
About the BookAbout the AuthorAudienceProspective Table of ContentsConventionsSetting Up Your EnvironmentInstalling React.jsDownloading the Code BundleGet in Touch Please Leave a Review Download A Free PDF Copy Of This Book
1. React – What and Why
IntroductionWhat Is React?The Problem with "Vanilla JavaScript"React and Declarative CodeHow React Manipulates the DOMIntroducing Single Page ApplicationsCreating a React ProjectSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!
2. Understanding React Components and JSX
IntroductionWhat Are Components?Why Components?The Anatomy of a ComponentWhat Exactly Are Component Functions?What Does React Do with All These Components?Built-in ComponentsNaming ConventionsJSX vs HTML vs Vanilla JavaScriptUsing React without JSXJSX Elements Are Treated like Regular JavaScript ValuesJSX Elements Must Be Self-ClosingOutputting Dynamic ContentWhen Should You Split Components?Summary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 2.1: Creating a React App to Present YourselfActivity 2.2: Creating a React App to Log Your Goals for This Book
3. Components and Props
IntroductionNot There YetUsing Props in ComponentsPassing Props to ComponentsConsuming Props in a ComponentComponents, Props, and ReusabilityThe Special "children" PropWhich Components Need Props?How to Deal with Multiple PropsSpreading PropsProp Chains/Prop DrillingSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 3.1: Creating an App to Output Your Goals for This Book
4. Working with Events and State
IntroductionWhat's the Problem?How Not to Solve the ProblemA Better Incorrect SolutionProperly Reacting to EventsUpdating State CorrectlyA Closer Look at useState()A Look under the Hood of ReactNaming ConventionsAllowed State Value TypesWorking with Multiple State ValuesUsing Multiple State SlicesManaging Combined State ObjectsUpdating State Based on Previous State CorrectlyTwo-Way BindingDeriving Values from StateWorking with Forms and Form SubmissionLifting State UpSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 4.1: Building a Simple CalculatorActivity 4.2: Enhancing the Calculator
5. Rendering Lists and Conditional Content
IntroductionWhat Are Conditional Content and List Data?Rendering Content ConditionallyDifferent Ways of Rendering Content ConditionallyUtilizing Ternary ExpressionsAbusing JavaScript Logical OperatorsGet Creative!Which Approach Is Best?Setting Element Tags ConditionallyOutputting List DataMapping List DataUpdating ListsA Problem with List ItemsKeys to the Rescue!Summary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 5.1: Showing a Conditional Error MessageActivity 5.2: Outputting a List of Products
6. Styling React Apps
IntroductionHow Does Styling Work in React Apps?Using Inline StylesSetting Styles via CSS ClassesSetting Styles DynamicallyConditional StylesCombining Multiple Dynamic CSS ClassesMerging Multiple Inline Style ObjectsBuilding Components with Customizable StylesCustomization with Fixed Configuration OptionsThe Problem with Unscoped StylesScoped Styles with CSS ModulesThe styled-components LibraryUsing Other CSS or JavaScript Styling Libraries and FrameworksSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 6.1: Providing Input Validity Feedback upon Form SubmissionActivity 6.2: Using CSS Modules for Style Scoping
7. Portals and Refs
IntroductionA World without RefsRefs versus StateUsing Refs for More than DOM AccessForwarding RefsControlled versus Uncontrolled ComponentsReact and Where Things End up in the DOMPortals to the RescueSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You Have LearnedActivity 7.1: Extract User Input ValuesActivity 7.2: Add a Side-Drawer
8. Handling Side Effects
IntroductionWhat's the Problem?Understanding Side EffectsSide Effects Are Not Just about HTTP RequestsDealing with Side Effects with the useEffect() HookHow to Use useEffect()Effects and Their DependenciesUnnecessary DependenciesCleaning Up after EffectsDealing with Multiple EffectsFunctions as DependenciesAvoiding Unnecessary Effect ExecutionsEffects and Asynchronous CodeRules of HooksSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 8.1: Building a Basic Blog

9. Behind the Scenes of React and Optimization Opportunities
IntroductionRevisiting Component Evaluations and UpdatesWhat Happens When a Component Function Is CalledThe Virtual DOM vs the Real DOMState BatchingAvoiding Unnecessary Child Component EvaluationsAvoiding Costly ComputationsUtilizing useCallback()Avoiding Unnecessary Code DownloadReducing Bundle Sizes via Code Splitting (Lazy Loading)Strict ModeDebugging Code and the React Developer ToolsSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 9.1: Optimize an Existing App
10. Working with Complex State
IntroductionA Problem with Cross-Component StateUsing Context to Handle Multi-Component StateProviding and Managing Context ValuesUsing Context in Nested ComponentsChanging Context from Nested ComponentsGetting Better Code CompletionContext or "Lifting State Up"?Outsourcing Context Logic into Separate ComponentsCombining Multiple ContextsLimitations of useState( )Managing State with useReducer( )Understanding Reducer FunctionsDispatching ActionsSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 10.1: Migrating an App to the Context APIActivity 10.2: Replacing useState() with useReducer()
11. Building Custom React Hooks
IntroductionWhy Would You Build Custom Hooks?What Are Custom Hooks?A First Custom HookCustom Hooks: A Flexible FeatureCustom Hooks and ParametersCustom Hooks and Return ValuesA More Complex ExampleSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 11.1: Build a Custom Keyboard Input Hook
12. Multipage Apps with React Router
IntroductionOne Page Is Not EnoughGetting Started with React Router and Defining RoutesAdding Page NavigationFrom Link to NavLinkRoute Components versus "Normal" ComponentsFrom Static to Dynamic RoutesExtracting Route ParametersCreating Dynamic LinksNavigating ProgrammaticallyRedirectingNested RoutesHandling Undefined RoutesLazy LoadingSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 12.1: Creating a Basic Three-Page WebsiteActivity 12.2: Enhancing the Basic Website
13. Managing Data with React Router
IntroductionData Fetching and Routing Are Tightly CoupledSending HTTP Requests without React RouterLoading Data with React RouterEnabling These Extra Router FeaturesLoading Data for Dynamic RoutesLoaders, Requests, and Client-Side CodeLayouts RevisitedReusing Data across RoutesHandling ErrorsOnward to Data SubmissionWorking with action() and Form DataReturning Data Instead of RedirectingControlling Which <Form> Triggers Which ActionReflecting the Current Navigation StatusSubmitting Forms ProgrammaticallyBehind-the-Scenes Data Fetching and SubmissionDeferring Data LoadingSummary and Key TakeawaysWhat's Next?Test Your Knowledge!Apply What You LearnedActivity 13.1: A To-Dos App
14. Next Steps and Further Resources
IntroductionHow Should You Proceed?Interesting Problems to ExploreBuild a Shopping CartBuild an Application's Authentication System (User Signup and Login)Build an Event Management WebsiteCommon and Popular React LibrariesOther ResourcesBeyond React for Web ApplicationsFinal Words
Appendix
2. Understanding React Components & JSXActivity 2.1: Creating a React App to Present YourselfActivity 2.2: Creating a React App to Log Your Goals for This Book 3. Components & PropsActivity 3.1: Creating an App to Output Your Goals for This Book4. Working with Events & StateActivity 4.1: Building a Simple CalculatorActivity 4.2: Enhancing the Calculator5. Rendering Lists & Conditional ContentActivity 5.1: Showing a Conditional Error MessageActivity 5.2: Outputting a List of Products6. Styling React AppsActivity 6.1: Providing Input Validity Feedback upon Form SubmissionActivity 6.2: Using CSS Modules for Style Scoping7. Portals & RefsActivity 7.1: Extract User Input ValuesActivity 7.2: Add a Side-Drawer8. Handling Side EffectsActivity 8.1: Building a Basic Blog9. Behind the Scenes of React & Optimization Opportunities Activity 9.1: Optimize An Existing App10. Working with Complex StateActivity 10.1: Migrating an App to the Context APIActivity 10.2: Replacing useState() with useReducer()11. Building Custom React HooksActivity 11.1: Build a Custom Keyboard Input Hook12. Multipage Apps with React RouterActivity 12.1: Creating a Basic Three-Page WebsiteActivity 12.2: Enhancing the Basic Website13. Managing Data with React RouterActivity 13.1: A To-Dos App
Hey!

Overview

If you're looking to strengthen your React.js skills, "React Key Concepts" by Maximilian Schwarzmüller is the perfect resource. This book comprehensively covers the essential features of React, providing clear and concise explanations to help you master the framework. You'll gain confidence building modern web applications with chapters dedicated to hands-on exercises and practical examples.

What this Book will help me do

Master all the essential features of React, including components, state, and props, through clear and structured explanations.
Learn to efficiently manage application states and handle events with best practices and advanced techniques.
Build intuitive user interfaces with dynamic and conditional styling while understanding the React rendering process.
Implement routing effectively using React Router to create multi-page applications.
Review optimization techniques and understand behind-the-scenes React workings to improve application performance.

Author(s)

Maximilian Schwarzmüller is a seasoned full-stack web developer who has helped millions of students worldwide learn React and other web technologies through his popular online courses. He brings years of hands-on experience and a knack for simplifying complex technical topics. His teaching approach combines practical exercises and detailed explanations, making advanced concepts approachable.

Who is it for?

This book is ideal for web developers who have basic knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS and want to master React.js. It is perfectly suited for beginners who understand programming fundamentals and developers further consolidating React skills. Developers can use this book as either a standalone learning resource or a complementary guide when studying other React materials.

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