The History of React.JS, a powerful web/front-end programming tool

You already know React JS, learn more about this amazing javascript library that you can use in your projects

Share on Linkedin Share on WhatsApp

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Article image The History of React.JS, a powerful web/front-end programming tool

easier and faster programming. Over time, it has become one of the most popular frameworks used by companies like Uber and Airbnb and nearly half of the developers worldwide.

But after all, what is React?

React is an open source JavaScript library. There is a large community of developers and companies using it, which makes it simple to find resources and collaborate with other engineers.

Programmers can use React to develop single-page, server-rendered mobile apps with various frameworks such as Next.js. It is mainly used to develop interfaces for web and also mobile applications, specifically for the visualization layer. However, it also allows a developer to create highly versatile and reusable UI components.

With React, engineers can build robust web apps that can change data without having to reload the entire page.

Its advantages are taken advantage of by many multinational technology companies, such as Meta, Netflix, Uber, Yahoo, Atlassian, Dropbox, Asana, among others.

Timeline in React history
Follow this timeline with all the events that helped develop React as we know it today:

  • 2010 :: Facebook introduces XHP to its open source software PHP stack. The syntax introduced at the end of the year allows the creation of composite components.
  • 2011 :: Jordan Walke creates FaxJS, the initial prototype of React – submitted as a search element on Facebook.
  • 2012 :: As Facebook ads become more difficult to manage, the company looks for a solution. Jordan Walke works on a prototype and creates React. In April, Instagram is acquired by Facebook and seeks to adopt the new technology, creating pressure to make it open source. Most of this work is done by Pete Hunt.
  • 2013 :: Jordan Walke introduces React, and the software is open source.
  • 2014 :: React’s reputation grows over time and the ‘initial majority’ of its potential users start to adopt it. At this point, they want to move away from relying on technological advantages to focus on stability. This allows React to attract companies like Netflix. React Developer Tools becomes an extension of Chrome Developer Tools.
  • 2015 :: During a technical presentation at the React.js Conference, Facebook presents the first version of React Native. React Native for iOS is announced later that year and made available on GitHub. The first stable version of the new React Developer Tools is released in September, while React Native for Android is released. Netflix, Airbnb and WordPress embrace React.
  • 2014 :: React’s reputation grows over time and the ‘initial majority’ of its potential users start to adopt it. At this point, they want to move away from relying on technological advantages to focus on stability. This allows React to attract companies like Netflix. React Developer Tools becomes an extension of Chrome Developer Tools.
  • 2015 :: During a technical presentation at the React.js Conference, Facebook presents the first version of React Native. React Native for iOS is announced later that year and made available on GitHub. The first stable version of the new React Developer Tools is released in September, while React Native for Android is released. Netflix, Airbnb and WordPress embrace React.
  • 2016 :: React15 is released and becomes popular. During the year, React Storybook, React Error Code System, and Bluepring — a React UI toolkit for the web are also featured.
  • 2017 :: React Fiber is made open source at F8 2017. React, Jest, Flow and Immutable.js are relicensed under the MIT license. React 16 is released and introduces error thresholds, portals, fragments, and the Fiber architecture.
  • 2018 :: React adds Context API support. Dan Abramov shares some never-before-seen prototypes at JSConf Iceland. React 16.3.0 is released in March.
  • 2019 :: React adds Hooks support as a new addition in version 16.8. Hooks allow developers to use state and other React features without writing a class.
  • 2020 :: “No new features” allows gradual React upgrades from older versions. The Tact 17 is released.
  • 2022 :: React 18 is released. Simultaneous react, auto-batch, new suspend features, transitions, client and server rendering APIs, new strict mode behaviors, and new hooks are introduced in this release.

Used by 42.62%
of developers worldwide, React.js is the second most popular web framework, surpassing the popularity of jQuery.

React Glossary

React Native Development Services

React Native is an open source UI framework that can be used to develop applications for systems such as Windows, iOS, macOS, tvOS, Android,

AndroidTV, Web and UWP. It’s a JavaScript framework for writing real, natively rendered mobile apps based on React.

ReactJS Development Services

React.JS is an open source JavaScript library that allows developers to create user interfaces for single page applications. Targeting the front-end layer, its main use is to solve the view layer of web and mobile applications.

React Components

React components are independent sections of code that can be reused across different projects. They are similar to JavaScript functions, which means they work in isolation and output HTML. There are 2 types of React components: class and function components.

Hooks in React

In React, hooks are functions that allow engineers to access the React state and lifecycle resources of function components. Hooks also allow developers to use React classlessly. Some of them are already provided as built-in features. However, there is also the possibility to create custom hooks for specific projects.

Content source: BairesDev ( https://www.bairesdev.com/react/#react-history )

Understanding AWS Web Hosting: Empowering Modern Applications in the Cloud

Discover how AWS enables secure, scalable, and flexible web hosting for modern applications, from personal sites to enterprise systems.

AWS for Beginners: Essential Concepts and First Steps in Cloud Computing

Learn AWS essentials: from EC2 to S3, get started with cloud computing through practical steps, tools, and tips for beginners.

Understanding AngularJS Directives: Enhancing Web Application Functionality

Learn how AngularJS directives enhance UI, create custom behaviors, and streamline your web development with reusable and powerful components.

Mastering AngularJS Services: Streamlining Data and Logic in Web Applications

Learn how AngularJS services help organize logic, manage data, and build scalable apps with clean, reusable, and testable code.

Getting Started with AngularJS: Powerful Front-End Web Development

Learn AngularJS essentials, its architecture, and how to build dynamic single-page apps with features like data binding, MVC, and reusable components.

AngularJS in Modern Web Applications: Architecture, Components, and Best Practices

Explore AngularJS architecture, components, and best practices to build scalable, maintainable single-page applications with modular design and efficient routing.

Mastering Android UI: Best Practices for Creating Intuitive Mobile Interfaces

Create intuitive Android UIs with Material Design, Jetpack Compose, accessibility, and responsive layouts for seamless user experiences across all devices.

Integrating Cloud Services in Android App Development: Best Practices and Tools

Boost your Android apps with cloud services for real-time sync, scalability, and better UX using Firebase, GCP, AWS, and best development practices.

+ 9 million
students

Free and Valid
Certificate

60 thousand free
exercises

4.8/5 rating in
app stores

Free courses in
video and ebooks