When it comes to running React JS code, there are several questions that spring to mind: What is React JS? How can I set up my machine for React JS? Is it difficult to run React JS? All of these questions are important to consider when trying to use React JS on a local machine.
The main problem with running React JS locally is that there is a lack of support and resources in comparison to other frameworks. According to The New Stack author Phil Humm, “React Local Development Tools need to catch up with the popularity of the framework itself”. This statement alone illustrates the difficulties that many developers face when attempting to execute React JS code. Another issue often seen is the lack of stability and robustness that comes with running React JS as it tends to fall short in terms of scalability and malware protection.
In this article, you will learn how to set up a local machine for React JS and execute the code. It will look at all the prerequisites that are needed for setting up a local environment and explain the available options for running the code. Furthermore, it will discuss the pros and cons of running React JS locally and explore how to make the most of the software when developing projects. After reading this article, you should be equipped with the knowledge for running React JS code.

Definitions

React JS is a JavaScript library developed and maintained by Facebook that is used to create interactive web-based user interfaces. It helps code components quickly, easily, and reliably, which results in better user experiences. React JS code can be run on a local computer using a local server and a code editor of choice.
To run React JS code, the first step is to install the necessary dependencies. This includes the React JS library, and also the necessary dependencies for components. Once these are installed, the user will then need to create a local server on which they can run the code. The easiest way to do this is by using Node.js, which is easily installable from the official site.
Then, they will need to choose a code editor. An editor such as Visual Studio Code is recommended due to its support for React JS’s JSX syntax. Once the editor is up and running, the user will be able to start writing and running their code.
After they have written the code, they need to compile it into JavaScript. This can be done in the code editor using a “compile” command. Once the code is compiled, it can be loaded onto the local server and run on the browser. This will enable users to view and interact with the app or user interface they have created.
React JS code is easy to write, maintain, and debug due to the many helpful libraries and utilities included in the package. The combination of the code editor, the local environment, and the code makes it easy for developers to create powerful user interfaces quickly and efficiently. React JS code is a powerful and efficient way to create interactive web-based applications and user interfaces.

1. Setting up a React Development Environment

Setting Up a React Development Environment

1. Install Node.js and npm

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment with useful tools for building web applications. It is usually used as a server-side JavaScript platform. npm (Node Package Manager) is a JavaScript package manager used to install packages. The packages help us to set up a local development environment and build React applications. To install Node.js and npm we need to first download and install them by using the official website.

2. Install create-react-app

Create-react-app is an officially supported CLI (Command Line Interface) that helps developers to setup react apps with no configuration. We can install create-react-app by using npm. It also installs all the dependencies needed to build a React application and starts a development server.

3. Create React App

We will create the React app by using the create-react-app CLI’s command. This helps us to create and bootstrap a React app in a few seconds. By default, it will create an app with a single page and the necessary configuration to get it running.

4. Start the Development Server

Now that our React app has been created, we will start the development server with the command line. This server will be running on http://localhost:3000.

Tools

• Node.js
• npm
• create-react-app
• A Code Editor

2. Understanding React Basics

React is a JavaScript library that is used to build user interfaces and create interactive web and mobile applications. React is most commonly used to create single-page applications (SPAs), where data is stored, retrieved, and modified dynamically according to user events, such as clicking a button. React is created and maintained by Facebook, and is highly popular due to its versatility, power, and scalability.

Setting Up Your Local Environment

Before you can begin writing React code on your local machine, you must first set up the necessary environment. This includes downloading the necessary tools, such as a text editor and a Node.js installation. You then need to create an ‘index.html’ file, which is where you can write the markup needed to render our React components.
Once your environment is set up, you can now install React by installing the JavaScript files using a package manager, such as npm or yarn. If you are focusing on web development, you can use the ‘react-dom’ library to create React components in HTML. For mobile development, you can use the ‘react-native’ library to create React components for use with mobile applications.

Writing React Code

Now that you have finished setting up your environment and installing React, you can begin writing React code. React follows an approach known as ‘component-based’ development, which means that software applications are built with the help of reusable components. Each component can be used to render content, respond to user input, and manage state.
When writing your components, you can code them in a ‘Functional’ or ‘Class-based’ style. The Functional style is less complex and more succinct, while the Class-based style is more comprehensive and allows you to utilize advanced React features and benefits.
The components that you create can be rendered to the DOM using the ‘ReactDom.render’ function. This function takes two arguments: a React component and an element on the page that you want to render the component on. Once this is done, you can now run the code on your local machine and view the rendered output.
Now that you understand the basics of React, you can get started writing components and building powerful web and mobile applications. You can also explore more advanced topics, such as state management, data fetching, and performance optimization, to create even better apps.