Welcome to the exciting world of web development, where we'll uncover the magic of combining two powerful tools: jQuery and ReactJS. If you're just starting out on your coding journey, you might have heard about these terms, but don't worry if they still seem a bit mysterious. In this article, we'll break it down for you.
Think of jQuery as a handy toolbox filled with tools that make it easier to interact with web pages. It's like having a superpower that helps you change colors, move things around, and create cool effects on your website. On the other hand, ReactJS is like a smart organizer for your website's different parts, helping you build things in a neat and organized way.
Now, what if we told you that you can use both of these tools together? Yep, that's right! By combining jQuery's simplicity with ReactJS's structure, you can create awesome websites that look great and work smoothly.
In this article, we won't use confusing jargon. Instead, we'll show you step-by-step examples of how to use jQuery with ReactJS. We'll explain why this combo can be super useful and guide you through the process. Whether you're brand new to coding or have little experience, our goal is to make this journey fun and enlightening.
So, if you're curious to discover how to make your web development adventure even more exciting, join us as we learn how to mix and match jQuery and ReactJS for fantastic results!
Why Combine jQuery with React: A Winning Combination
It can be tempting for some individuals to want to continue using jQuery to execute these activities in React, especially beginners who are just learning to use React and previously utilized jQuery for tasks like DOM manipulation and Ajax requests. However, it is often avoidable and is regarded as bad practise. This is so that React can fully control what is referred to as a virtual DOM. The real DOM (which is what React has access to) and the virtual DOM (which is what React uses) become somewhat at odds when the real DOM is altered, specifically when the real DOM is altered outside of React using jQuery in this case.
However, jQuery can still be used in a React application if the need arises without interfering with anything else.
How to use jQuery with ReactJS
There are simply three easy steps needed. This process integrates Jquery into the production bundle for React or Next. Consequently, the size of the package would grow.
Step 1: Go to Project Root.
Step 2: Install jQuery
npm install jquery --save
// or
yarn add jquery
Step 3: Import jQuery
Import jQuery into pages where you want to use it.
import $ from "jquery"
import { useEffect } from "react";
export const App = () => {
useEffect(() => {
alert($("#input").val())
})
return(
<>
<div>
<h1>React App.</h1>
</div>
<div>
<input name="input" id="input" value="jQuery with ReactJS"/>
</div>
</>
)
}
export default App
How to use jQuery CDN with ReactJS
The second choice is to link to the Jquery CDN from your public folder-based index.html file. The Jquery dependency will not be bundled with the production bundle using this method, as should be noted.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<link rel="manifest" href="%PUBLIC_URL%/manifest.json" />
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.6.4/jquery.min.js"></script>
<title>React App</title>
</head>
<body>
<noscript>You need to enable JavaScript to run this app.</noscript>
<div id="root"></div>
</body>
</html>
Why you shouldn't use jQuery with ReactJS
In the dynamic landscape of web development, while jQuery has been a faithful companion for years, its marriage with ReactJS might not always yield the best results. React, with its efficient virtual DOM, component-based architecture, and state management, has revolutionized how we build web applications. However, there are reasons to pause before integrating jQuery into your React projects.
One crucial factor is redundancy. React already handles DOM manipulation efficiently through its virtual DOM mechanism, which reduces direct interaction with the actual DOM elements. Incorporating jQuery might introduce conflicting approaches, leading to code complexity and potential performance bottlenecks.
Additionally, the learning curve and maintenance cost can increase. If your team is primarily focused on React, introducing jQuery might demand additional training and cause confusion. Moreover, as both libraries evolve, keeping them up to date can become challenging, potentially leading to compatibility issues.
While there might be specific scenarios where jQuery's strengths align with your project's needs, it's essential to weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks. Exploring React's built-in capabilities thoroughly before opting for jQuery can help ensure a more streamlined and cohesive development process.
That's it.
