DEV Community

Discussion on: Help! I am Overwhelmed With React and It's Preventing Me From Finding A Workflow

Collapse
 
nickfazzpdx profile image
Nicholas Fazzolari

Thank you for replying. I'm getting an understanding of it after all these great replies and looking at how React fits into a project. It's going to take time, as all good things do.

I need to see if I can use it with perch CMS and try some examples.

Collapse
 
kaelscion profile image
kaelscion

If I may, I'd suggest attempting to step back for a second and look at what each part of a web app does. Abstract it a bit. Rather than start with the names of frameworks, start with what parts a website/app has, then map different technologies to them. For instance, what does a web app contain, in no particular order:

Operating System
Database
Front End
Content
Content Management System
Cache or CDN
Web Server

Now, while the final product is a singular item, each piece is independent in itself. What makes the final product is, ultimately, the glue code that joins it all together.

So rather than thinking "How do I need to shoehorn React into Perch" think "What is Perch's job? - To get the content from the database and put it in front of people." Then think "What kind of presentation am I looking for once the content gets in front of people? - Responsive, dynamic UI that can change based on user needs, browser statem, and media breakpoints."

From what I'm reading, it looks to me like your trying to build this application as an entire, monolithic and, therefore, overwhelming undertaking. When really, just focus on the pieces as standalone projects. You know your CMS, your know MySQL, you know Apache/Nginx, and I'm sure you've used some jQuery and/or JS, and you know your HTML/CSS setup of choice. React does not do anything you do not already do on a regular basis. And, to be honest, it does not even go about it all that different than you are used to. Try to even strip away the fact that the JSX files are "React" files. Convince yourself that it is JS as I've always known and used it, the imports and keywords are just different. Control flow is the same, conditionals are the same, all the fundamentals you are already a pro at are right there. They're just served up a little different. You got this! We all have the utmost confidence in you!

Thread Thread
 
nickfazzpdx profile image
Nicholas Fazzolari

Great advice. I sat with a piece of paper and pen and consolidated my thoughts. It's so powerful.

Is it correct to say that React is a framework for developing the V of the MVC design pattern, a pre-built CMS provides the M and C in some cases?

I'm also going through the react tutorial again while taking my time.

Again, thanks for the advice, really got me thinking more clearly!

  • Nick
Thread Thread
 
spytheman profile image
spytheman

Yes, React is just a View library - see its API documentation
reactjs.org/docs/react-api.html . By itself, it has no opinion about how you structure your app. Everything else (flux, redux, babel and so on) is optional.