REACT JS

React.js is built using JSX – A combination of JavaScript and XML. Elements are created using JSX, then use JavaScript to render them on your site. While React has a steep learning curve for a junior developer, it’s quickly shaping into one of the most popular and in-demand JavaScript libraries.

React is considered a JavaScript library rather than a framework, whereas the other options we’ll consider today are considered frameworks. It helps to think of a library as a tool that developers could use in any project and a framework as a whole design.

Backbone.js vs React.js

Backbone.js is probably the most different of the JavaScript frameworks we’re looking at today because it’s based on the MVC (Model View Controller) architecture. This comes with its own challenges, though. While Backbone is very good at what it does, it’s not enough by itself to build single-page apps. To make the most of Backbone, you need to choose a suitable templating language to partner with it – My favourites are Moustache and Handlebars, although using another JavaScript library like Chaplin is also a good choice when using Backbone.

One big plus to using Backbone is that it’s lightweight. It allows you to choose which library components you want to use instead of cluttering up your repository with unused code. However, Backbone doesn’t provide a set structure for your code. This means that there is more a developer needs to write code than if you were using React. This, unfortunately, makes Backbone.js quite difficult to get going with for a junior developer, as Backbone.js requires plenty of libraries and add-ons to provide even basic functionality.

However, due to the decline in popularity of Backbone, the library is no longer being actively updated. While bugs are still being fixed and documentation still gets updated, Backbone is considered to be a legacy library. So although it is still supported, there are no further updates incoming. This leaves Backbone lacking the stability and support that React provides.

React Features

• JSX − JSX is JavaScript syntax extension. It isn't necessary to use JSX in React development, but it is recommended.
• Components − React is all about components. You need to think of everything as a component. This will help you maintain the code when working on larger scale projects.
• Unidirectional data flow and Flux − React implements one-way data flow which makes it easy to reason about your app. Flux is a pattern that helps keeping your data unidirectional.
• License − React is licensed under the Facebook Inc. Documentation is licensed under CC BY 4.0.