React JS is gaining popularity which can't be ignored. Many new developers want to jump on this moving train and start learning React. But before you start learning React. There is one crucial thing you need to understand. You need to know what is the difference between HTML and React.
The difference between HTML and React is their purpose. HTML is a markup language, and in modern web development, it's being used to structure websites. On the other hand, React is a library for building websites. It uses plain HTML, but on top of that, it provides a lot of handy features that add interactivity, and complex logic to websites.
This can sound like an obvious statement for experienced web developers. But for someone who is just trying to make their way into web development, not so much.
If you're not sure what's the difference between HTML and React, you've come to the right place. Because in this article, I'm gonna explain what is HTML, what is React, and what is the difference between the two. On top of that, I'll answer some of the most common questions about HTML and React.
So without any further ado, let's get started.
What Is HTML
HTML is a markup language used to create websites and web applications. It is a simple, text-based language that is easy to learn and use. HTML tags are used to define the structure and layout of a website, and the content within it. HTML is widely used on the web and is supported by all major browsers.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the most basic building block of the Web. It defines the meaning and structure of web content. Other technologies besides HTML are generally used to describe a web page's appearance/presentation (CSS) or functionality/behavior (JavaScript). (source: MDN)
You can create and publish websites with just plain HTML. You don't need anything else. However, they won't look pretty, and they probably won't appeal to the users. That's why we need to make them look good, by using CSS and making them interactive by using JavaScript.
note
You can create nice-looking websites with just plain HTML, and a little bit of CSS. However, during the course of the years, developers agreed that it's difficult to add and maintain Javascript code on complex websites. That's when frameworks like React were introduced to solve this problem.
Basic HTML boilerplate can look like the code example below.
Basic HTML boilerplate
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="ie=edge">
<title>Hello World!</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
<h1>Title</h1>
<p>Description</p>
</body>
</html>What Is React
React JS is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It lets you create reusable components so that your code is easy to read and maintain. The component usually consists of the markup written in HTML, styling defined by CSS, and interactivity handled by Javascript.
note
By using React, you can write a piece of HTML code, and reuse it multiple times thanks to the React components.
React is popular because it's fast, efficient, and easy to use. It also has a large community of developers who can help you with problems you may encounter. That's most likely the reason why so many developers enjoy working in React.
The basic HTML component can look like the code example below.
Button.jsx
import "./styles.css";
const App = () => {
return (
<div className="App">
<h1>Title</h1>
<h2>I am React component</h2>
<p>And I'm using HTML</p>
</div>
);
}
export default AppCommon Questions About React and HTML
If you were listening closely, you should already know the difference between these two. If not, let's just recap one more time.
HTML is used to give the website a structure. React is used to build whole websites, or as someone wise would say, it's used to build user interfaces.
In the previous sections, we looked at both HTML and React separately. But in this section, we'll digest them together, by answering some of the most asked questions about React and HTML.
Is HTML needed for React?
When it comes to React, you don't necessarily need HTML. React is a JavaScript library that lets you create user interfaces. It works with "components", which are small pieces of reusable code that you can create once and use anywhere. So, if you want to create a simple React component, you don't need HTML.
You can just create a JavaScript file and write your code in there. However, if you want to create a more complex React component, you may need to use HTML to define the structure of your component. In general, it's a good idea to use HTML for anything that needs to be displayed on a web page.
Can you write HTML in React?
Yes, you can write HTML in React. In fact, it's often recommended that you write your HTML in React, rather than in a separate HTML file. This is because React can automatically update your HTML when your data changes, ensuring that your page always looks up-to-date.
Is React Faster Than HTML?
There is no definitive answer to this question. It depends on a number of factors, including the specific type of application you are building, the size and complexity of your user interface.
However, in general, React is often seen as being faster than HTML. because it allows you to create smaller, more efficient code files. This can result in a faster, more responsive user interface.
Should I Learn HTML CSS or React?
This is a question that a lot of people have, and the answer is quite simple. You should learn all of them.
HTML and CSS are the basic building blocks of the web. If you want to create web pages, you need to learn both. They are relatively simple to learn, but it takes a lot of time and practice to master them.
React combines both HTML and CSS, and take them to another level, by using the component pattern. If you want to create more complicated websites or applications, then you should learn React.
Concluding Thoughts
React JS is an amazing tool, and it got adopted by a ton of software companies. The demand for React developers is increasing, and that's probably why there are so many people trying to learn it.
But before, you start learning React, you should understand the fundamentals of web development. HTML is one pillar of these fundamentals. And if you skip learning it, you'll face consequences later in your developer journey.
In this article, we briefly explained what is HTML, what is React, and what is the difference between the two. On top of that, we answered frequently asked questions about HTML and React. If you read this article carefully, you should have no doubt, and you should always know an answer to this daunting question, "What is the difference between HTML and React?"