How long to learn React if I know JavaScript

As an aspiring React Developer, you might want to learn React but worry that it will take too long. While React is relatively straightforward, you’ll need to build the programming foundation to ensure you can use it effectively. Most people can learn React in about one to six months, but naturally, that depends on your circumstances. This guide will show you how to learn React and give you some resources to speed up the process.

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library that allows new user interface (UI) components to appear on websites and apps without needing to reload the page. Jordan Walke, a Software Engineer at Meta, created it to make Facebook’s News Feed load faster. It was later added to Instagram and became open-source for the benefit of the public. Now it’s one of the go-to Javascript libraries for most websites and apps.

Most people use React in web and mobile development because of its flexibility and versatility. A website or app would typically need to pull information from its server to generate new information or images. React enables websites and apps to skip that step by creating reusable components that can be added to the page as the user scrolls. That saves time and computer power for the website—and the user.

Read more about what React is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with React?

React is known for its uses with social media news feeds, such as Facebook and Instagram. That’s not the only use for it, though—you can use it for any online page constantly loading new components on-screen. React libraries are meant to save time by creating reusable interactive elements. They act as templates where the website or app can pull information instead of needing to access the server constantly. 

This skill is helpful for websites and apps such as Netflix, Amazon, and Uber Eats that generate new information without reloading the page. If you have aspirations to build websites or apps or work for a company that relies on them, React is an essential skill. With React in your professional toolkit, you’ll be an asset to any web or mobile development team you join. 

Average Time it Takes to Learn React

On average, you can expect to learn React within one to six months, depending on your prior experience. If you’re a complete beginner, you’ll need to spend more time learning the prerequisites before you learn React. Most people find that knowing JavaScript speeds up the process because it’s the programming language used to code React. Of course, the amount of time it will take you to learn React will be based on your circumstances.

If you have family commitments, for example, and need to watch your kids in the evening, you may take slightly longer to learn React since you have less time to study. You’ll likely already know your circumstances, but you may not have thought about them all at once. Take a sheet of paper or open your phone’s notepad app and list every major responsibility you have for the next few months. That will give you a sense of the amount of free time you have available for your studies.

No worries if it seems that you don’t have time at the moment. Check some of the points below for tips on how to work through them. You’ll still be able to learn React at a good pace, and it may be faster than you expected. 

Other Factors

You might feel that you’re pressed for time and struggle to see how you can learn React quickly compared to someone with no commitments. Those that have an open schedule might be able to study at any hour of the day, but they may not use their time effectively. That’s where you have the advantage—because you’re planning to use your time wisely, your work will be more focused, and you’ll make progress quicker. 

The following sections will outline some common factors that affect the speed you learn React. Consider everything and see if you can adapt the advice given here to optimize every moment of your education. 

Prior Experience with Programming

It should go without saying that someone who’s never programmed before will take more time to learn React than someone who has. You may have a slight advantage if you’re open-minded to new experiences. 

You might not have programming experience, but you may have organizational skills or attention to detail that transfers well into coding. Even if you have programming experience, knowing how to learn React should be your number one priority. Your programming approach might differ from typical React users’ because you’re used to working with different programming languages. It all depends on the concepts you already know. 

Take the time to review some of the best training methods for React classes and see which ones resonate with your learning style. You may want to find a course that offers career coaching to get insight into how to apply your lessons to your overall professional goals.

Prior Experience with JavaScript

Even if you have some programming knowledge, it might take a while to grasp everything React offers if you're new to learning JavaScript. JavaScript knowledge is essential to understanding and using React. Most React careers are closely related to JavaScript Development roles. If you have JavaScript knowledge, you can skip a few steps and go straight into studying React without delay.

Don’t worry—the fact that you’re researching everything you need to know before learning React is a step in the right direction. You’re already ahead of the curve.

Your Obligations

Acknowledge how busy your life is. It’s okay. Everyone has ups and downs in their schedule, and family and work obligations can certainly make things feel hectic. There might be times when you might not feel you have enough hours in the day to take a class. 

It’s recommended to delegate errands when possible; ask your spouse to pick up the kids from school or your roommate to wash the dishes during class days. Take some time to discuss your obligations with your household. You can take responsibility for tasks on days you have off from class. Remember that you won’t be in class forever, so you’ll have more free time once your certificate and React skills are ready. 

Trying to balance everything might feel impossible, but you’ll be able to find a way as long as you’re dedicated. You can start with React video tutorials to learn the fundamentals while adjusting your schedule. Thankfully, the world has become more flexible than it was even a few years ago. Live online React classes help reduce the time and costs associated with commuting, and you can take them while attending to matters at home if necessary. 

Your Learning Speed

Everyone learns differently, and your best learning method may differ from your peers. You might mesh with certain styles more than others; for example, you might prefer to have an instructor guide you through concepts rather than listen to a video tutorial. Reflect on what has worked for you in the past and try to identify how you can adapt that to your current courses. When in doubt, ask your instructors for help. They’ll be happy to work with you and accommodate your learning needs. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

At the bare minimum, you will need to know JavaScript to understand React to its fullest extent. Learning about user interface (UI) design is also helpful since React creates templates for UI components. For those who want to specialize in websites or mobile apps, you can look into web development or mobile development. 

Read more about the prerequisites for React. 

React and JavaScript are free and open source, which means they’re open for modification and available to the public. The main costs associated with React are connected to web development and iOS app development since you’ll need to pay fees to host your website, keep its domain name, and upload apps onto a store. 

Read more about the costs associated with React.

Most people find React more challenging if they don’t know JavaScript beforehand. That’s because JavaScript is the programming language used to make React libraries. Once you have those foundational skills, it’ll be easy to understand. You can also easily install React on your computer by following simple steps. 

Read about how difficult it is to learn React.

Watch a Free React Course Online

If you’re interested in React but aren’t quite ready to commit to a more comprehensive course, you might want to start with a quick lesson that gives you an overview of the skills you need to start. Most people benefit from taking a free tutorial that goes over the basics, like Noble Desktop’s free Intro to React seminar. This video tutorial teaches why most JavaScript programmers rely on React and use it for their websites and apps. 

You can find these online tutorials through most training facilities, including Scrimba, Udemy, and Noble Desktop. Take some time to find the one that best resonates with you. After you’ve taken these tutorials, you can decide whether you want to enroll in a React class. 

Read about more free React videos and online tutorials.

Learn React with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has plenty of resources to help you through your React learning journey, including courses and bootcamps that will help you land that job you’ve been eager to apply for. Most of these programs feature many benefits, including expert instructors leading each course, small class sizes for individualized instruction, and free retake options if you want to review some of the topics discussed. 

One of the first options worth checking out is the React Development Bootcamp, which will teach you everything you need to know about React for your career. JavaScript is the foundation of React, so it’s worth looking into the JavaScript Development Certificate to give you an overview of the programming language. If you plan to use React for websites, try the Full Stack Web Development Certificate instead. 

These programs will give you a certificate upon completion, which you can display on your LinkedIn for everyone, including future employers. Noble’s certificate programs also come with the opportunity to retake the course for free, an ideal scenario for those wanting extra practice and support. If you’re not ready to commit to a bootcamp or certificate program, you can look through all of the React courses and choose the one that works best for you. 

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