How This Book Is Structured

What's the point of React?

Lesson 0 - Object Elements

Lesson 1 - Element Factory

Lesson 2 - JSX

Lesson 3 - Nested Elements

Lesson 4 - Components

Lesson 5 - Props

Lesson 6 - Prop Types

Lesson 7 - Nested Components

Lesson 8 - Class Components

Lesson 9 - Lifecycle Methods

Lesson 10 - Example App

Lesson 11 - More Lifecycle Methods

Lesson 12 - Refactoring Components

Lesson 14 - Refs

Lesson 15 - Simple Integration

Lesson 16 - Advanced Integration

Lesson 18 - ES215

Virtual DOM Primer

Changelog

A gentle introduction to React, using the JavaScript you already know

React from Zero

This chapter is about a React feature that allows us to interact with the DOM directly: 

 are a specific React feature and not an abbreviation for 

. When we write about the React feature, we'll use the abbreviation 

, we're talking about using variables to aliasing objects.

Most of the time we model our interactions with the 

, but sometimes we need direct access to the DOM elements, for example when we want to 

# Lesson 14 - Refs

This chapter is about a React feature that allows us to interact with the DOM directly: **refs**.

T> **refs** are a specific React feature and not an abbreviation for **references**. When we write about the React feature, we'll use the abbreviation **ref**. When we write about **references**, we're talking about using variables to aliasing objects.

Most of the time we model our interactions with the **unidirectional data-flow** pattern provided by React via `props` and `state`, but sometimes we need direct access to the DOM elements, for example when we want to **change focus in forms** or **integrate with third party libraries** that don't know about React.