Svelte or React – Which one should you learn?

It can be tough to keep up with all the different JavaScript frameworks out there. But if you’re looking to build user interfaces, you really can’t go wrong with either React or Svelte. In this blog post, we’ll break down the key differences between these two frameworks so that you can make an informed decision about which one to learn!

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It was created by Facebook and released as open-source software in 2013. React is used to create single-page applications and can be used with a variety of programming languages.

React has a few key features that make it different from other libraries:

• React uses a declarative paradigm that makes it easy to reason about your code and helps you develop applications that are more predictable.
• React uses a virtual DOM that optimizes the performance of your application by only updating the components that have changed.
• React includes a JSX syntax extension that allows you to write HTML tags within your JavaScript code. This makes it easier to create reusable components.

What is Svelte?

Svelte is a relatively new framework, created by Rich Harris in 2016. It’s been gaining popularity recently as it offers a unique approach to building user interfaces.

Instead of using virtual DOM like other frameworks (such as React), Svelte compiles your components into highly efficient code that runs directly on the native DOM. This means that your application will be fast and lightweight, without sacrificing any of the features you need.

It is similar to React in that it uses a component-based approach to building user interfaces. However, there are some key differences between Svelte and React that you should be aware of before deciding which one to learn.

Moving further here are a few pros and cons of both Svelte and React to help you get more insights into the two frameworks.

The pros and cons of React

Pros

• React is very easy to get started if you already have knowledge of Javascript.
• React uses virtual DOM. This means that updates are made to an in-memory copy of the DOM, instead of the actual DOM making it much faster and more responsive.
• React makes creating reusable components very easy.
• React has a strong community behind it. There are many resources available to help you learn React and there are always people willing to help if you get stuck.
• Cross-platform support.

Cons

• React learning curve is steeper than Svelte.
• React can be slow at times when dealing with larger code bundles than Svelte.
• React uses JSX syntax which can be off-putting for some developers. While JSX can make code easier to read, it can also be unfamiliar and take some time to get used to.

The pros and cons of Svelte

Pros

• Is a very fast and lightweight framework that can be used to build high-performance web applications.
• Because Svelte compiles your code to vanilla JavaScript, it means that you don’t have to learn a whole new framework – you can just use regular JavaScript!
• Generates small code bundles eventually making it faster.
• Has some built-in features that can make your life as a developer easier, such as scoped CSS and declarative event handlers.

Cons

• Because Svelte is relatively new, there is still a lack of community support and documentation compared to React.
• Limited tooling and resources.
• No cross-platform support.

Which one should you learn?

Well, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a framework. React is a great choice if you’re looking for a framework that is widely adopted and has a large community. On the other hand, Svelte is a newer framework that focuses on performance. So, if performance is your main concern, then Svelte might be the better choice.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re just starting out with frameworks, then React might be a good place to start because it’s more popular and there are more resources available. But if you’re looking for something that’s fast and lightweight, then Svelte could be a better option.

Conclusion

There is no easy answer when it comes to choosing between Svelte and React. Both frameworks have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it really depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a lightweight framework that can be used for simple projects, then Svelte might be the better option. However, if you need a more robust framework with larger community support, then React would be the better choice. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try out both frameworks and see which one works better for you.

Thanks for reading! I hope this has been helpful and it can help you get started with either of the frameworks. If you enjoyed this blog, please share it with your friends! And if you’re interested in learning React, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the basics to advanced concepts.

Again, thanks for reading!

Happy coding! 🙂