How React Works and Why Developers Love It
Struggling with complex code? Learn how React uses a component mindset to build dynamic apps and why this 'Lego' approach is the industry standard.
Best quote from How React Works and Why Developers Love It
React turns web building into a game of Legos: instead of rewriting code, you’re just snapping reusable components together to create an independent, isolated, and maintainable user interface.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
React is a philosophy and framework for building web applications that use client side rendering. Web apps are increasingly using client side rendering instead of server side (scary words!) Web developers use React to build dynamic web applications like Twitter React’s philosophy emphasizes components so you don’t rewrite code The must-know basics of the React ecosystem: props, JSX, state, and React NativeUnless you live under a rock (which, given San Francisco rents, is becoming a leg
Frequently Asked Questions
Props and state are both used to manage data, but they serve different purposes. Props, short for properties, are read-only data passed down from a parent component to a child component, acting like instructions or arguments for a function. State, on the other hand, is a component's internal memory used for data that changes over time, such as a counter or a form input. While a component cannot change its own props, it can update its state using the useState hook, which triggers React to automatically re-render the UI with the new information.
React Server Components represent a hybrid architectural shift where some components render exclusively on the server and never send their JavaScript logic to the client's browser. In traditional Server-Side Rendering (SSR), the server sends HTML, but the browser must still download and run the corresponding JavaScript to make the page interactive—a process called hydration. With RSC, heavy libraries or complex logic stay on the server, sending only the resulting UI to the user. This significantly reduces the amount of JavaScript a device needs to download, which is especially beneficial for users on slow mobile connections.
The Four-State Model is an intentional strategy for organizing data based on its purpose and location. It categorizes state into four distinct buckets: Server state (data from an API), Global UI state (app-wide settings like themes), Form state (temporary data in inputs), and URL state (filters or parameters stored in the web address). By using specific tools for each—such as TanStack Query for server data or Zustand for global UI—developers can prevent performance issues and ensure that data is kept as close as possible to where it is actually used.
React Native applies the same core philosophy of components, props, and state to mobile development for iOS and Android. Unlike a "web view" that simply displays a website inside an app, React Native renders to actual native UI elements, such as a "UIView" on iOS. This allows developers to use their existing React skills and share a significant portion of business logic between web and mobile platforms while still achieving the performance and "feel" of a truly native application.
Feature-Sliced Design is an organizational strategy that groups code by its business purpose—such as "Authentication" or "ProductCatalog"—rather than by technical type like "components" or "hooks." This approach, often called "co-location," places the UI, logic, API calls, and tests for a specific feature in one dedicated folder. This reduces cognitive overhead for developers and makes the application more scalable, as teams can work on individual "vertical slices" of the app without interfering with one another.
Discover more
deep react knowledge
deep react knowledge
React continues to dominate the frontend development landscape, but mastering its core concepts and advanced patterns is essential for building professional-grade applications. This learning plan is ideal for developers who have basic JavaScript knowledge and want to become proficient React engineers capable of building complex, performant applications.
I want to learn how to write react front end
I want to learn how to write react front end
React continues to be the most popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, powering millions of web applications. This learning plan takes you from React fundamentals to advanced architecture patterns, ideal for developers looking to build modern, performant front-end applications.
Master Go, React, and JavaScript Development
Master Go, React, and JavaScript Development
This plan is essential for developers aiming to bridge the gap between frontend and backend mastery using modern frameworks. It is ideal for aspiring full-stack engineers who want to build scalable, high-performance applications with Go and React.
js read
js read
This plan bridges the gap between basic coding and professional web development. It is ideal for aspiring developers looking to master modern JavaScript, from UI interactivity to scalable application architecture.
Designing and Programming Software
Designing and Programming Software
This comprehensive path is designed for developers looking to transition from writing scripts to engineering robust, production-ready systems. It provides the essential bridge between basic syntax and complex architectural decision-making required in modern tech roles.
Coding
Coding
This comprehensive path bridges the gap between basic syntax and professional-grade system architecture. It is ideal for aspiring developers and engineers who want to master both the logic of coding and the principles of scalable software design.
Become a better programmist
Become a better programmist
This learning plan is designed for aspiring developers who want to bridge the gap between basic coding and professional engineering. It provides a comprehensive roadmap from foundational logic to complex system architecture, making it ideal for those seeking to build robust, scalable software.
Learn code.
Learn code.
This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between basic coding and professional software engineering. It is ideal for aspiring developers who want to master both the mathematical foundations and the architectural principles required for enterprise-level careers.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
