React JS Developer RoadMap (Updated 2024)

In this blog post on ReactJs roadmap, we aim to present a comprehensive guide ReactJs beginner roadmap outlining a sequential path that can effectively guide aspiring individuals toward achieving success as a React JS Developer in the year 2024.

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What Does a ReactJS Developer Do?

React.JS developers play a crucial role in crafting user interface components for both web and mobile applications using the React open-source library ecosystem. Here’s a simplified breakdown of their roles and responsibilities:

• Code Creation: 
  • Write high-quality user interface code based on wireframes and mockups.
  • Regularly review and optimize code to enhance program performance.

• Component Development:
  • Develop reusable and future-proof UI components that ensure cross-compatibility.
  • Craft UI code that is clear, simple, and modern, leveraging stylesheets, CSS preprocessors (e.g., LESS/SASS), and JavaScript capabilities.

• Architecture and Scalability:
  • Establish a scalable app architecture and design corresponding APIs.
  • Efficiently manage the app’s state and functional libraries for making asynchronous API requests.

• Data Management:
  • Utilize React processes like Context APIs and Redux to fetch data from asynchronous API requests.

• Quality Assurance:
  • Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing as part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance process.

• Plugin Development:
  • Create any necessary additional plugins for optimal app maintenance.

• Client Vision Implementation:
  • Transform a client’s vision into a functional app using software app development practices.

• Cross-Platform Delivery:
  • Deliver a high-performing app compatible with various operating systems, devices, and resolutions.

React developers collaborate with a diverse team, including testers, designers, web designers, backend engineers, and project managers, throughout the entire process—from conceptualization to deployment. Their expertise in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS is pivotal in ensuring the robustness and functionality of applications in the dynamic landscape of web and mobile development.

Prerequisites Required to Become React JS Developer

To kickstart your journey into ReactJS development, it’s crucial to grasp the following fundamental skills of web development:

HTML

• HTML is the foundation of web pages, i.e., it is the language in which all web pages are written. It plays a pivotal role as it enables you to establish the structure of your webpage.
• Begin by familiarizing yourself with the essentials of HTML. This involves getting comfortable with semantic HTML, understanding proper DOM structuring, and learning how to section off different parts of a webpage.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

• CSS is your tool for aesthetic presentation. It helps in formatting HTML documents, enhancing their visual appeal through elements like colors, spacing, and font design.
• Aspiring React developers should familiarize themselves with CSS basics. This includes understanding grid systems, flexbox, media queries, and principles of responsive web design.

JavaScript

• JavaScript is the real power behind the interaction of websites. It is the programming language that empowers you to write code controlling the behavior of your website or app when someone interacts with it.
• You should master the basics of JavaScript, including syntax, operations, DOM manipulation, hoisting, prototyping, event bubbling, AJAX, and adherence to the ECMAScript specification.

The journey of becoming a ReactJS developer becomes more accessible when you build a solid foundation in these three core areas. Now let’s see some more general development skills that a React developer should have.

React Fundamentals or Basics

One should learn the fundamentals of React before delving into more advanced concepts and building complex applications. Understanding React basics, such as component structure, state management, and JSX syntax, forms a solid foundation that facilitates smoother comprehension of advanced topics like stateful components, hooks, and component lifecycle methods. This foundational knowledge is crucial for developers to create scalable and maintainable React applications.

Create React App

• Use the Create React App CLI tool for creating single-page React applications.
• It provides a modern build setup with no configuration hassle.

Understanding React App Flow

• Gain insights into the control flow of a React app.
• Explore the project structure, React app folder organization, and the process of running a React app in the browser.
• Grasp concepts like virtual DOM and how React manipulates the DOM.

React Component Types:

Functional Components:

• Basic JavaScript functions, often written as arrow functions.
• Also known as “stateless” components, responsible for rendering UI by accepting and displaying data.

Class Components:

• Utilize ES6 class and extend the Component class in React.
• Referred to as “smart” or “stateful” components, as they handle logic and state.

Using JSX (JavaScript Syntax Extension):

• JSX is an extension of JavaScript syntax, allowing XML-like code for React elements and components.
• Write HTML in React using JSX, making it simpler and more expressive.

Properties of React

Props:

• Pass data between components using Props.
• Understand how to send props from a parent component to a child component and utilize them in the child.

States and setState:

• A state is an object within React components storing property values.
• Use the setState() function to modify the state object, triggering component re-renders.

useState Hook:

• Employ the useState Hook to manage state variables in functional components.

Handling Functions in React:

• Create custom functions within React components to perform specific tasks.
• Learn how to call functions within React components.

Handling JSX Events:

• Understand JSX events, including popular ones like onClick and onChange.
• Learn how to handle and respond to these events in your React application.

Conditional Rendering:

• Implement conditional rendering to display JSX based on specific conditions.
• Grasp the use of the ternary operator in React JSX for conditional rendering.

Component Lifecycle Methods:

Understanding the lifecycle methods is key to arranging how your components come to life, evolve, and gracefully exit the stage. Let’s explore these methods:

• render() Method: This fundamental lifecycle method plays a crucial role in displaying the component on the user interface.
• componentDidMount(): After the curtain rises and the component is mounted, ready to perform, this method takes center stage.
• componentDidUpdate(): As the script evolves and the component responds to changes in props or state, this method takes its cue.
• componentWillUnmount(): Just before the final act, when the component is about to be taken down and the show comes to a close, this method gets its last applause.

Building Simple Forms: 

Embark on the journey of creating and managing forms within React components:

• Creating Forms: Explore the art of crafting forms, setting the stage for user interaction within your components.
• Handling Form Events: Discover the techniques of effectively managing form events, from user inputs to submission.
• Populating Form Data: Learn the art of filling in the details – understand how to populate form data, especially when editing existing information.

Mastering these fundamentals will provide a solid foundation for your journey into React development.

Advanced React Topics

Now that we’ve mastered the basics of React, let’s see for more advanced topics which help to get into the depth of React.

• Debugging and Logging
  Navigate the details of React development with the React DevTools extension, empowering you to seamlessly monitor and debug your application’s state and components in real time.

• HTTP Requests (GET and POST)
  Building on our foundational React knowledge, let’s advance to handling HTTP requests. Discover how to make AJAX and REST API calls using JavaScript’s fetch function, bringing dynamic data fetching to your React applications.

• Browser’s Local Storage
  As we progress in our React journey, it’s time to unlock the potential of local storage. Learn how to store and retrieve data locally within the browser, adding a layer of efficiency to your data management.

• Handling Errors in React
  No advanced React exploration is complete without mastering error handling. Take your skills to the next level by learning how to gracefully handle errors, especially during REST API calls, and provide meaningful notifications in your UI.

• Commonly Used React Hooks
  Now that we’re well-versed in React basics, let’s optimize our functional components with commonly used React hooks. From state management to memoization, these hooks are essential for maximizing your React app’s potential.

• Create a Custom Hook
  Elevate your React proficiency by creating custom hooks. Learn how to encapsulate and reuse logic across your application, promoting cleaner and more maintainable code.

React Libraries

React libraries are essential building blocks in the world of web development, offering pre-built components and functionalities that enhance the efficiency and scalability of React.js applications. Let’s have a look at some of the famous React libraries.

• Axios HTTP Library
  Building on our React foundation, let’s explore advanced libraries. Integrate the Axios HTTP library to seamlessly handle AJAX and REST API calls in your React application.

• Redux Library for State Management
  As we advance, consider incorporating the Redux library for centralized state management. Learn how to efficiently manage your application’s state, a crucial skill when working with React or Angular.

• React Router Library for Routing
  Navigate the complex paths of a React application with the React Router library. Enable smooth navigation, dynamic URL changes, and UI synchronization as you advance in your React journey.

• Styling with UI Libraries
  Now that we’re diving deeper, enhance your React app’s aesthetics with popular UI libraries like Bootstrap CSS, Chakra UI, Material UI, and Ant Design. Elevate your styling game with these versatile libraries.

• Form Handling Libraries
  • Formik: Simplify form building in React and React Native by addressing challenges related to form state, validation, and submission.
  • React Hook Form: In our journey through advanced React topics, master form state and validation with React Hook Form. Enhance your ability to handle form-related complexities efficiently.

As we venture into these advanced React topics, we’re unlocking a new areas of possibilities to create sophisticated, efficient, and user-friendly applications.

General Development Skills

Let’s look at some of the general development skills which help in development of React websites.

• Learn GIT
  Now that we’ve covered the basics of React, let’s delve into essential general development skills. One crucial aspect is mastering GIT for efficient codebase management and change tracking. GIT operates on repositories, branches, commits, and merges, forming the foundation for collaborative and well-managed software projects.

• Basic Commands
  To effectively use GIT, start with fundamental commands like initializing a repository, adding files, committing changes, creating and switching branches, and merging branches. Understanding conflict resolution during merges is essential to address discrepancies between code versions. 
  
  As we advance, explore more advanced GIT features, including creating tags, managing remote repositories, and employing branching strategies like GitFlow for an enhanced development workflow.

• Understand the HTTP(S) Protocol
  Another key skill is understanding the HTTP(S) protocol, the backbone of web communication. It governs how clients and servers exchange information.
  
  When a client sends a request adhering to the HTTP(S) protocol, it includes a method (GET, POST, PUT), a URL, headers, and sometimes a payload. The server responds with a status code, headers, and a response body containing the requested data or an error message. Familiarizing yourself with HTTP(S) methods and status codes enables interaction with APIs and robust web application development.

• Master the Terminal
  The terminal, or command line interface (CLI), is a powerful tool providing direct access to the operating system. Mastering it involves starting with basic commands for navigation, file management, and copying/moving files. 

• Advanced Commands
  Delve deeper into the terminal by learning advanced commands like modifying permissions, managing processes, manipulating file contents, and using shell scripting for automation. These skills enhance efficiency and enable more complex workflows.

• Algorithms and Data Structures
  Moving forward, let’s explore the fundamental components of computer science and software development: algorithms and data structures.
  
  Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for problem-solving, ranging from simple tasks to complex operations like graph traversal. Understanding different algorithms and their complexities empowers developers to choose optimal solutions.

Data structures efficiently store and organize data, including hash tables, trees, graphs, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Each structure has distinct characteristics and use cases, necessitating a comprehensive understanding for designing optimal solutions.

By mastering algorithms and data structures, developers enhance problem-solving skills, write efficient and scalable code, and navigate complex programming challenges.

Qualifications for Standing Out

To stand out in the industry:

• A degree in computer science or a related field establishes a robust foundation.
• Certifications in React JS highlight expertise and commitment.
• Coding bootcamps or schools focused on React JS provide practical experience.
• Online courses and tutorials deepen understanding, offered on platforms like Udemy and Coursera.

Continuing to build these skills and qualifications will undoubtedly propel your career as a React JS developer.

Different Roles of React JS Developer

React JS developers can take on various roles depending on the scope and complexity of the projects they work on. Here are some different roles that React JS developers can fulfill:

• Front-End Developer: React JS developers often assume the role of front-end developers, responsible for constructing the user interface (UI) of web applications. They utilize React JS to develop interactive and dynamic UI components that enhance the overall user experience.
• React JS Developer: As specialized developers in React JS, they concentrate on harnessing the capabilities of the library to create efficient and scalable web applications. They possess extensive knowledge of React JS concepts, best practices, and advanced techniques.
• Full-Stack Developer: Certain React JS developers possess proficiency in both front-end and back-end development. This allows them to work on all layers of a web application, consisting of the client-side (UI) and server-side (APIs, databases, etc.), enabling them to handle end-to-end development responsibilities.
• UI/UX Developer: React JS developers with expertise in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design contribute to the visual and interactive aspects of web applications. They collaborate closely with designers to craft captivating and user-friendly interfaces using React JS components.
• React Native Developer: React Native, which is constructed on the foundation of React JS, functions as a framework that streamlines the process of cross-platform mobile app development. React JS developers who possess a comprehensive understanding of React Native can effectively utilize their React JS skills to construct mobile applications that exhibit flawless performance on both iOS and Android platforms.

React.JS Developer Salary Range in India

React.JS developer salary range in India based on experience:

• Entry Level (0-1 year of experience): INR 3,50,000 – INR 5,00,000
• Mid-Level (2-5 years of experience): INR 6,00,000 – INR 9,00,000
• Senior Level (6+ years of experience): INR 10,00,000 – INR 15,00,000

The salary range can vary depending on the company, the location, and the skills and experience of the developer. For example, developers in large cities like Bangalore and Mumbai tend to earn higher salaries than developers in smaller cities.

The salary range can also vary depending on the country. Here are some examples of React.JS developer salaries in other countries:

• United States: USD 100,000 – USD 150,000
• United Kingdom: GBP 50,000 – GBP 80,000
• Canada: CAD 80,000 – CAD 120,000
• Australia: AUD 90,000 – AUD 130,000
• Singapore: SGD 100,000 – SGD 150,000

As you can see, the salary range for React.JS developers can vary significantly depending on the experience, location, and country.

Conclusion

React JS Developers in 2024 can achieve success by possessing a solid grasp of JavaScript and React JS concepts. Additionally, they should be acquainted with Redux, React Native, and testing frameworks. 
As the demand for React JS Developers continues to increase, these professionals can expect lucrative salaries. This blog post presented a roadmap that will guide you towards becoming a thriving React JS Developer in 2024 and beyond.