React is a JavaScript library used to build User Interfaces (UI). React is known for its declarative, efficient, and flexible JavaScript library for developing User Interfaces.
React is mostly used because of its DOM manipulation. React provides a virtual DOM to render instead of actual DOM. Before diving into React IDEs and Editors, let us try to understand User Interfaces (UI).
What are User Interfaces (UI)?
A User Interface is a channel between computer and human – the space where interaction with the computer takes place.
The primary function of a UI is to empower the user to use/control the computer they are interacting with.
A good UI should be intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly. UI design majorly focuses on the looks and styles of the interfaces in software. The User Interfaces should be easy to use and pleasurable. To design good UIs, one should consider:
- Users judge designs quickly and they care about likability: Developers should understand and design the UI according to the user’s context. They can look at customer journey maps and try to minimize the efforts of users.
- UIs should be satisfying: Nowadays, businesses want to understand the behavior of a user, so that they can provide a more personalized and immersive experience.
JavaScript or JS is a high-level, just-in-time compiled, and multi-paradigm programming language. JavaScript is one of the integral elements of the World Wide Web along with HTML and CSS. It is used on both server-side as well as client-side and allows you to make web pages interactive. It is used for creating mobile and web applications, server applications, game development, etc.
What are JavaScript Libraries?
JavaScript is the most used programming language when it comes to building web applications because it works efficiently across all browsers. When the adoption and popularity of JavaScript was increasing, the JavaScript community observed something.
They saw that certain patterns were used again and again to complete the same task. So, to avoid writing code every time, this task was automated using JavaScript Libraries. JavaScript Libraries are nothing but pre-written codes that can be used or reused to complete common JavaScript functions.
What is an IDE?
An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is software that can be used to build applications. IDE comprises common developer tools merged into a single graphical user interface (GUI). An IDE has a source code editor, local build automation, and a debugger. Below are some of the best React IDE & React editors available for the developers:
Visual Studio Code:
Visual Studio Code is a source-code editor based on an electron framework. It is developed by Microsoft and released in the year 2015. A feature worth noting in Visual Studio Code is that developers can create extensions that add supports for themes, new languages, and debuggers. It also has IntelliSense which provides help in auto-completion and recommendation while coding.
Reactide:
It is the first dedicated IDE for React web development. Reactide eliminates the need to configure servers through an integrated Node server and custom browser simulator. Individual components can be visualized using reactide. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. The documentation is well-documented and the developer community is active on the Internet.
Atom editor:
Atom is an open-source text and source code editor. It is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Atom was developed by GitHub and is maintained by them only. Atom is a desktop application that is built using web technologies.
The software is written in CoffeeScript and Less, but it is being converted to JavaScript. Atom is based on Electron. Atom is a highly configurable text editor of these times and it enables users to install third-party packages and themes. The developers of Atom calls it a “hackable text editor for the 21st century”.
Sublime text 4:
If you are a developer, you must have heard about this highly sophisticated text editor. The latest version available is Sublime Text 4 and it is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. The text editor includes a lot of plugin support contributed by the different communities of developers.
It has a custom UI toolkit, a Goto anything option, an Instant project switch, supports TypeScript code editing, etc. If you switch between the projects, the modifications will be saved.
Webstorm:
WebStorm on IntelliJ is developed by JetBrains. It is one of the best platforms to develop web applications using React. The IDE is well documented and it comes with built-in support for TypeScript.
The development team of WebStorm helps you with the problems of IDE without hesitation. Some of the features are – Easy tool integration, built-in terminal, debugging and testing support, smart coding assistance, etc.
Brackets:
Bracket is a lightweight open-source text editor for React developments. Though it is lightweight, it includes all the features, functionalities, and it is a modern and powerful IDE for React developments.
The focus is on visual tools and pre-processor tools, that make brackets easy to use and design in the browser. You will be able to see the changes you made in CSS/HTML on the screen in no time. The features include line preview, inline editors, and pre-processor support.
Notepad++:
It is a simple yet powerful text and source code editor. It is completely free to use. There are various plugins available that enhance the basic functionalities of Notepad++.
The developer community is very active. It has been innovating and including more functions to cater to the growing developer community. The angular support is quite good and the features include TypeScript code editing, autocomplete, etc.
Conclusion:
The first thing any user interacts with when he/she visits your website, is the interface. At the first glance, it should be appealing and smooth to operate. React is becoming the most liked platform to design and develop user interfaces nowadays.
The development process for any application can be streamlined with the use of a proper IDE/editor. IDE or Integrated Development Environment offers many advantages during the development of the application.
IDE has added features that help in searching, debugging, retrieving, etc. Above are some of the best react IDE and Editors. Select an IDE or Editor and Start Coding.