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courseReact JS

React installation process

Install Node.js and npm

React requires Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager). Download and install the latest stable version of Node.js from https://nodejs.org/. npm is included with Node.js.​

To verify the installation, run the following commands in your terminal:

#bash
node -v
npm -v

Set Up a React Application

We can create a React app using the create-react-app tool or other modern tools like Vite. Here's how to use create-react-app:​

#bash
npx create-react-app my-app

Replace my-app with your desired project name. The npx command ensures you use the latest version of create-react-app.

​Navigate to your project directory and start the server:

#bash
# Navigate to project directory​
cd my-app

#Start the React server
npm start

​This will open your app in the browser at http://localhost:3000.​


Key Differences Between npx and npm:​

Feature
npm
npx
Purpose
Installs and manages packages.
Executes packages without installing them globally.
Global Installation
Requires global installation for CLI tools.
No need for global installation; runs directly.
Version Management
May use outdated globally installed versions.
Always uses the latest version of the package.
Use Case
Installing dependencies for projects.
Running one-time commands or tools.
Example
npm install -g create-react-app
npx create-react-app my-app


When to Use npx vs npm​

  • Use npm when:
    • You need to install a package as a dependency for your project.
    • You want to install a package globally for frequent use.
  • Use npx when:
    • You want to run a package or CLI tool without installing it globally.
    • You need to ensure you're using the latest version of a package.