React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
React solves the problem of managing complex, interactive UIs by providing a declarative approach where developers describe what the interface should look like for each application state, and the library handles efficient updates when data changes. It uses a component-based architecture where encapsulated, reusable components manage their own state and compose together to form complex interfaces. Component logic is written in JavaScript rather than templates, allowing rich data to flow through applications while keeping state out of the DOM.
React suits projects ranging from adding interactivity to existing applications to building entirely new projects, since it has been designed for gradual adoption and requires no assumptions about the rest of your technology stack. You can use as little or as much React as needed, add it to existing projects without rewriting code, or create new applications from scratch. The library also supports server-side rendering with Node and powers mobile applications through React Native, making it applicable across web and native platforms.
The project receives almost all of its open issues from outside users rather than the core team, reflecting a substantial base of adopters reporting real-world use. Maintainers typically respond to new issues and pull requests within a day. Work in the issue tracker is dominated by unconfirmed status reports, stale resolutions, and bug reports, indicating active engagement with a large user base encountering and reporting problems in production environments.
