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JavaScript

Posted by Ben Knutsen
Ben Knutsen
Courses Plus Student 2,209 Points

Which JavaScript courses should I take before I start on the React Track?

I would like to know which specific JavaScript courses I should take to be ready for learning React. Since there are some Javascript courses that are not relevant for React, I want to avoid doing them for now.

3 Answers

Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson
5,741 Points
Robert Adamson
Robert Adamson
5,741 Points

Fwiw Ben I agree with Dilate.

React at the end of the day is just a javascript library. It's best to have a decent understanding of the fundamental concepts of programming as they apply to the language. Beginning javascript is the best way to do this. If you can master the concepts in that course you will find React to be fairly simple.

I would personally say you can skip jQuery basics and Ajax basics if you really want the fast track to React. I would recommend visiting the ajax course at some point though. Ajax is the standard for web apps to make HTTP requests typically for sending and receiving data from a server, as a way to interface with a backend. This will be important if you're serious about becoming a front-end engineer.

jQuery is a very popular, although becoming less-so now, javascript library often used for DOM manipulation. You can get work as a front-end engineer without having touched this if you can ultimately implement most of its utilities in vanilla javascript. It wouldn't hurt to know it, but I would put this low on the priority list.

I Dilate
I Dilate
3,983 Points
I Dilate
I Dilate
3,983 Points

Do you have any experience with JavaScript yet?

If not, Beginning Javascript is the essential first step.

However, that's presuming you have a good working knowledge of HTML + CSS too. Do you?

Ben Knutsen
Ben Knutsen
Courses Plus Student 2,209 Points

I only have the experience from the courses I have done on Treehouse so far. Right now, I am on the Frontend Developer Track, which is also where I have learned about HTML and CSS. JavaScript courses on the Frontend Developer Track that is not in the Beginning Javascript Track is Object-Oriented JavaScript, Ajax Basics and jQuery Basics. Can I skip these courses when I aim for React?

I Dilate
I Dilate
3,983 Points
I Dilate
I Dilate
3,983 Points

Hi Bendik,

Someone else may be able to give you a more accurate list of the specific lessons you would need if you want to do the absolute minimum amount of learning required.

However, I recommend that you try the Beginning JavaScript track I suggested as a starting point because it will give you a strong foundation in all the basic concepts you’ll need to know when you work with not just React, but any of the big JavaScript libraries.

Without an understanding of variables, loops, arrays, objects, functions and so forth, you’re really going to be frustrated by getting stuck on all the bits that should be simple in more advanced tracks.

Don’t be afraid to start at the beginning. You can complete Beginning JavaScript in 3-4 days quite easily if you concentrate and make notes.

From there you’ll fly.