Okay, so you’re looking to jump back into the React world, huh?. Maybe you’ve been off doing other things, or perhaps you just need a refresher.

No worries! React is constantly evolving, but the core principles remain strong. We’re going to dive into the essentials, get our hands dirty with some projects, and keep you up-to-date with the latest trends.
Let’s get that React mojo back!

Revisiting the Fundamentals

First things first, let’s brush up on the basics. React has seen some significant changes, particularly with the shift towards functional components and hooks.

Understanding Functional Components and Hooks

Ditch the class components! Functional components and hooks are the way to go. If you’re still thinking about this.state, it’s time for a change.

• useState for managing state? Check.
• useEffect for side effects? Got it.
• useContext for shared state? We’ll cover that.
• useRef for DOM manipulation? Absolutely essential.

React Router for Navigation

React Router 6 has brought some significant updates. It’s crucial to get comfortable with the new routing patterns.

Hands-on Learning: Build Small Projects

Theory is great, but let’s get practical!

To-Do List (Beginner)
Perfect for mastering useState and event handling.

Movie Search App (Intermediate)

Work with APIs and conditional rendering.

Admin Dashboard (Advanced)

A challenging project to learn data fetching and table rendering.

Easily Creating a React App

Getting started with a new React project has never been easier, thanks to tools like Create React App (CRA) and Vite.

Create React App (CRA)

While CRA is still a viable option, it’s essential to understand its role and limitations.

This command sets up a basic React project with all the necessary configurations. However, CRA is no longer recommended for new projects, since it is no longer being actively developed.

Vite

Vite is a modern build tool that offers significantly faster development speeds. It’s highly recommended for new React projects.

Vite’s speed is due to its use of native ES modules during development, resulting in near-instantaneous updates.

Project Structure and Best Practices

• Component Organization: Organize your components into logical folders.
  Feature-based organization is a common pattern.
• Reusable Components: Aim to create reusable components to reduce code duplication.
• State Management: Choose the right state management solution based on your project’s complexity.
• Testing: Implement unit and integration tests using libraries like Jest and React Testing Library.

Staying Updated with Modern React Trends

• React Server Components (RSC): RSC is revolutionizing React development, particularly with Next.js.
• State Management: Redux vs. React Query: Redux for global application state, React Query for server state.
• Styling: Tailwind CSS: Utility-first CSS for rapid UI development.
• TypeScript: Using typescript will help reduce bugs, and increase maintainability.

Contributing to Open Source and Real-World Projects

GitHub is your friend!. Find a React project and contribute. Freelance projects are also a great way to put your skills to the test. Joining the React Community The React community is incredibly supportive.

• React Official Discord
• Reddit’s r/reactjs
• Twitter for updates from React developers

Your React Journey :

Getting back into React is a journey of continuous learning and practice. Start small, build something fun, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. The React landscape is vast and ever-evolving, but by focusing on the fundamentals, embracing modern tools like Vite, and staying updated with trends like React Server Components, you’ll find yourself confidently building powerful applications. If you’re looking for expert guidance or need to scale your React projects, consider partnering with a team that understands the nuances of modern web development.

For comprehensive web development services, including React expertise, DevCentreHouse offers a range of solutions to help you achieve your goals, as detailed on their services page DevCentreHouse. Whether it’s building a complex application or just needing a helping hand, having a reliable partner can make all the difference. You’ve got this!

3. Building a Blog App with XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS

Building a Blog App with XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS

Creating a blog application from scratch can seem overwhelming, but with the right technology stack, it becomes an exciting and rewarding experience. In this guide, we will walk you through setting up a blog application using XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS. This tutorial will help you understand how to structure your database, connect it to a backend, and create a fully functional blog system.

Why Choose XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS?

XAMPP

XAMPP is an easy-to-use, lightweight Apache distribution that simplifies the setup of a local web server. It includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl, making it an excellent choice for web development.

MySQL

MySQL is a widely used relational database management system that ensures structured data storage and retrieval. It is robust, secure, and seamlessly integrates with multiple backend frameworks, including NestJS.

phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin provides a user-friendly interface for managing MySQL databases, making database operations simpler and more accessible.

NestJS

NestJS is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable, and scalable applications. It supports TypeScript, modular architecture, and dependency injection, making it an excellent choice for backend development.

Setting Up the Development Environment

Installing XAMPP

1. Download and install XAMPP from the official Apache Friends website.
2. Open the XAMPP Control Panel and start Apache and MySQL.

Setting Up MySQL Database

1. Open phpMyAdmin by visiting http://localhost/phpmyadmin/ in your browser.
2. Create a new database named blog_app.
3. Within the blog_app database, create a table called posts with the following structure:

Creating the Backend with NestJS

Installing NestJS

Ensure you have Node.js installed, then install the NestJS CLI:

Create a new NestJS project:

Setting Up TypeORM with MySQL

NestJS supports TypeORM, which simplifies working with MySQL databases. Install the required dependencies:

Update app.module.ts to configure TypeORM:

Creating the Blog Post Entity

Inside the src/posts/ directory, create a post.entity.ts file:

Creating a CRUD Service and Controller

Generate the posts module, service, and controller:

Modify posts.service.ts:

Modify posts.controller.ts:

Running the Application

Start the NestJS application:

Your backend is now live at http://localhost:3000/posts. You can test it using Postman or cURL by sending GET and POST requests.

Bottom line:

By following this guide, you have successfully built a blog application using XAMPP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, and NestJS. This setup provides a solid foundation for developing and scaling your blogging platform. You can now extend the functionality by adding authentication, pagination, or even a frontend with React or Angular.
For more insights on Node.js backend development, visit Dev Centre House Ireland, a trusted resource for backend technologies and industry best practices.