React js in Magento 2 – the detailed outline for integration

Magento is always a favorite platform for businesses to start their online store. However, because of the advantage of Magento, more and more companies jump into this market to extend their opportunity and customer experiences. Therefore, the online market becomes quite competitive. Besides, businesses must think about ways to make their store on Magento more attractive. Then it leads to front-end development. Every day, new tools are introduced, and with so many libraries and frameworks to select from. Hence it’s becoming increasingly difficult for business owners to make the best decision. In this article, we will introduce to you one of the popular tools that are React js, and how to use React js in Magento 2.

Some highlights you need to know about React js 

React JS in Magento 2

What is React.js?

React.js is an open-source JavaScript package with the aim of creating single-page apps’ user interfaces. For web and mobile apps, people utilize it to manage the view layer. We can also make reusable UI components with React. Jordan Walke, a Facebook software engineer, was the first to create React. In 2011, React was launched on Facebook’s newsfeed, followed by Instagram.com in 2012.

It’s unnecessary to reload a page when developers may use React to build massive web applications and alter data. React’s major goal is to be quick, scalable, and easy to use. It only works on the application’s user interfaces. This relates to the MVC template’s view. It can be combined with other JavaScript libraries or frameworks, such as Angular JS in MVC applications. React JS is also called simply React or React.js

What are the React.js Features?

JSX

JSX is a syntactic extension for JavaScript. It’s a phrase used in React to define the appearance of the user interface. JSX allows you to write HTML structures with JavaScript code in the same file.

const name = 'Simplilearn';
const greet = <h1>Hello, {name}</h1>;

The code above demonstrates how JSX is used in React. It’s neither a string nor a piece of HTML. Instead, HTML is embedded in JavaScript code.

Virtual Document Object Model (DOM)

React’s the lightweight counterpart of the Real DOM is the Virtual DOM. Real-world DOM manipulation takes much longer than virtual DOM manipulation. When the state of an object changes, Virtual DOM just updates that object in the real DOM, not all of them.

What is the Document Object Model (DOM)?

The DOM (Page Object Model) handles an XML or HTML document as a tree structure, with each node representing a section of the document as an object.

How do Virtual DOM and React DOM interact with each other?

VDOM receives automatic updates when the state of an object in a React application changes. After that, it compares its previous state and updates only those objects in the real DOM, rather than all of them. This allows things to move quickly, especially when compared to other front-end technologies. Because others must update each item even if just one object in the web application changes.

Architecture 

React is the ‘View’ in a Model View Controller (MVC) architecture, responsible for how the app appears and feels.Model, View, and Controller (MVC) is an architectural pattern that divides the application layer into three parts: Model, View, and Controller. The model is responsible for all data-related logic, while the view is in charge of the application’s UI logic, and the controller serves as a link between the Model and the View.

Extensions

React is the ‘View’ in a Model View Controller (MVC) architecture, responsible for how the app appears and feels.React is more than just a UI framework; it has a slew of extensions that cover the entirety of an application’s architecture. It aids with the development of mobile apps and allows for server-side rendering. React can be extended using Flux and Redux, among other things.

Data Binding

Data Binding

All operations remain modular and speedy since React’s one-way data binding. Because of the unidirectional data flow, nesting child components within parent components is usual when working on a React project.

Debugging

React applications are simple and easy to test because there is a large developer community. Facebook offers a browser extension that makes React debugging easier and faster.For instance, this extension adds a React tab to the developer tools section of the Chrome web browser. The tab allows you to inspect React components in real-time.

Components in React

  • Components are a React application’s building pieces, each representing a different part of the user interface.
  • Some of the aspects of the Components are listed below.
  • Reusability – A component has been used not only in one part of the application but also in another. This increases the development of the product.
  • Nested Components – A component can include another component.
  • Render method – A component must define a render method that specifies how the component renders to the DOM in its most basic form.
  • Passing properties: Properties can be passed to a component as well. These are properties that its parent has handed to it in order to specify values.

React Advantages

Using virtual DOM is a JavaScript object. Because JavaScript virtual DOM is quicker than the conventional DOM, this will increase app speed. It’s compatible with different frameworks and both the client and server sides can use it. Component and data patterns promote readability, which makes larger apps easier to manage.

React Limitations

Because it only covers the app’s view layer, you’ll need to choose other technologies to acquire a complete development toolkit. Some developers may find inline templating and JSX to be inconvenient.

So the benefits you will receive when integrating React js in Magento 2?

React js in Magento 2

The key question that now confronts us is why should we utilize React. There are numerous open-source platforms available to help with front-end web application development. Let’s take a look at how React differs from other competing technologies or frameworks. It’s difficult to dedicate time to learning a new framework when the front-end world changes on a daily basis — especially when that framework could end up being a dead end. So, if you’re looking for the next greatest thing but are getting lost in the framework jungle, I recommend giving React a try.

Simplicity

ReactJS is simply easier to understand right away. React is very easy to understand, construct a quality web (and mobile) application, and support thanks to its component-based architecture, well-defined lifecycle, and use of simple plain JavaScript. React makes use of JSX, a special syntax that allows you to mix HTML and JavaScript. This isn’t a must; developers can still use plain JavaScript, although JSX is far more user-friendly.

Easy to learn

React is simple to comprehend for anyone with a basic understanding of programming. In contrast, Angular and Ember are described as ‘Domain-specific Languages,’ meaning that they are harder to learn. You only need a basic understanding of CSS and HTML to react.

Native Approach

React may be a helpful tool to develop mobile apps (React Native). And because React is a firm believer in reusability, it allows for a lot of code reuse. As a result, we can develop apps for iOS, Android, and the web at the same time.

Data Binding

One-way data binding is used in React, and the Flux application architecture regulates the flow of data to components through a single control point called the dispatcher. Self-contained components of large ReactJS apps are easier to debug.

Performance

There is no concept of a built-in dependency container in React. Browserify, Require JS, and EcmaScript 6 modules, which we can leverage via Babel, and ReactJS-di may all be used to automatically inject dependencies.

Testability

Testing ReactJS applications is a breeze. We may change the state we pass to the ReactJS view and look at the output and triggered actions, events, functions, and so on by treating React views as functions of the state.

Three ways to implement React js in Magento 2

implement React js in Magento 2

When it comes to using React js in Magento 2 development, there are several options to consider. To a large extent, the decision is based on the preferences and talents of the developer you’ll hire for Magento PWA development. Let’s have a look at the three primary options.

With Just ReactJS

The first method entails learning ReactJS from the ground up. Rather than customizing ready-made blocks, this entails creating components from the ground up. You must construct the architecture and each piece on your own in this scenario.

Via the PWA Studio

The PWA Studio is Magento’s official project for creating Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). It consists of a set of pre-built components and architecture that are required to create the Magento React storefront.

It’s worth noting that the PWA Studio project is still in development, which means that many sections of the “toolbox” are now missing, others aren’t ready-to-use, lack reliability, and frequently don’t operate properly. Nonetheless, in this overview, you can see how Magento’s PWA Studio project is progressing and browse the various capabilities that developers may already use.

Using Third-Party Themes (Like the Scandi PWA)

Alternatives to the PWA Studio are the third option that is frequently employed. These are ReactJS-based PWA themes produced by third-party developers.

At the time of writing, we’ve only found one such theme that works, and it’s called Scandi PWA. We do know, however, that there is a slew of other companies working on similar ideas.

Scandi PWA, on the other hand, is an open-source solution that includes ready-to-use components and capabilities for creating PWAs on Magento. In this extensive roadmap, you may learn more about the solutions it offers

The fundamental difference between Scandi PWA and PWA Studio, in simple terms, is in the architecture of the modules as well as specific functionalities. When it comes to features, it’s fair to say that some are integrated into Scandi PWA, while others are available in PWA Studio. But, to be honest, the PWA Studio and Scandi PWA aren’t that dissimilar. Although their architectures differ, they both achieve the same outcomes in the end.

The path you take will be determined by the functionality you wish to add to the store, your budget, and your team’s abilities. The developers you employ must have good React.js and Magento knowledge to create a highly customized PWA. If your staff lacks the necessary abilities, you can rely on our Magento PWA development services.

Conclusion

We walk you through this article with the hope that: you have an overview of React js in Magento 2 and how to construct it. With lots of stunning features, it is definitely worth jumping into to increase the effectiveness of your online store. Therefore, your business can meet the demand of customers and brings more opportunities to develop in the internet environment. However, if you are still confused about this technology, Magesolution is willing to be a partner to assist your business. With many experiences in this field, we are confident to provide the best service: Magento Progressive Web Application Development. Therefore, if you have any questions, contact us to have more information.