React Key Concepts - Second Edition: An in-depth guide to React's core features

Confidently implement React in your next project with this in-depth overview of React's core features – now updated for React 19.

Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF ebook and bonus content.

“If you want to learn React, I highly recommend that you consider this book.” - Nikki Siapno, Engineering Manager at Canva

“This book is refreshingly practical and does an excellent job covering both fundamentals and advanced concepts.” - Mayank Ahuja, Technology Specialist

“I'm on my way to finishing the book, and I've refreshed many React concepts, improved others and learned something new!” - Luca Del Puppo, Microsoft MVP & Google Developer Expert

Key Features

• Work through clear, concise explanations of core React 19 functionalities
• Complete practical exercises that challenge you to build your own simple apps
• Discover full-stack React with Next.js, React Server Components, Suspense, and more

Book Description

Bestselling instructor, Max Schwarzmüller has written this quick-start reference that distils the core concepts of React. Simple explanations, relevant examples, and step-by-step derivations make this guide the ideal resource for busy developers. In this second edition, Max guides you through changes brought by React 19, including the new use() hook, form actions, and how to think about React on the server.

This book will support you through your next React projects in giving you a behind-the-scenes understanding of the framework – whether you've just finished Max's video course and are looking for a handy reference, or you’re using a variety of other learning materials and need a single study guide to bring everything together.

You’ll find full solutions to all end-of-chapter quizzes and exercises in the book’s GitHub repository.

What you will learn

• Build modern, user-friendly, and reactive web apps
• Create components and utilize props to pass data between them
• Handle events, perform state updates, and manage conditional content
• Add styles dynamically and conditionally for modern user interfaces
• Use advanced state management techniques such as React's Context API
• Utilize React Router to render different pages for different URLs
• Understand key best practices and optimization opportunities
• Learn about React Server Components and Server Actions

Who this book is for

This React book is for developers who have prior experience with, or who are currently learning, the basics of React. You can use this book as a standalone resource to consolidate your understanding or as a companion guide to other courses.

To get the most value from this book, you should have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Table of Contents

1. React – What and Why
2. Understanding React Components and JSX
3. Components and Props
4. Working with Events and State
5. Rendering Lists and Conditional Content
6. Styling React Apps
7. Portals and Refs
8. Handling Side Effects
9. Handling User Input & Forms with Form Actions
10. Behind the Scenes of React and Optimization Opportunities
11. Working with Complex State
12. Building Custom React Hooks
13. Multipage Apps with React Router
14. Managing Data with React Router
15. Server-side Rendering & Building Fullstack Apps with Next.js
16. React Server Components & Server Actions
17. Understanding React Suspense & The use() Hook
18. Next Steps and Further Resources