In this article, I will differentiate between React and Astro.
I will start by giving a brief overview of both frameworks.
What is React?
React is a JavaScript UI library that allow developers to build user interface using components. A component is a small reusable interface, for example, a button.
React was initially created to develop single-page application and mobile applications. However, the rise of React frameworks such as Next.js have made it possible to use React for server-side applications.
Features
Component-based - React allows developers to create user interfaces by combining components. The components maintain their own state making it easier to pass rich data and keep state out of the DOM.
Cross platform - React can be used to develop web, mobile and server-side applications.
State Management - React utilizes the Virtual DOM to update only the components that have changed states in the real DOM
What is Astro?
Astro is a JavaScript web framework that is used to develop fast optimized content-driven websites. Astro enhances the performance of content-driven websites by making them faster which improves their conversion rates.
Features
Server-side rendering - Astro renders components on the server then sends lightweight HTML with little JavaScript to the browser. This makes the websites faster.
Content-driven - Astro is designed to work with various types of contents no matter where they are. Astro can load content from the file system, an external API or a CMS(content management system)
Customizable - Astro can be extended by adding JavaScript UI components, CSS libraries, themes, integrations and more.
What are differences between React and Astro?
Similarities
They are JavaScript web frameworks
They run on Node
Both use components to build user interfaces
Both have debugging tools. React uses React Developer Tools while Astro uses Astro Dev Toolbar
Differences
React | Astro |
Utilizes the Virtual DOM to manipulate the real DOM | No Virtual DOM |
Used to develop dynamic websites | Used to develop static websites |
Doesn't allow developers to integrate other web frameworks. | Integration of other web frameworks such as React, Svelte and many more |
Client-side rendering | Server-side rendering |
No routing capabilities. Therefore, it depends on third-party solutions, such as, React Router | In-built routing capabilities; file-based routing |
Uses the JSX or TSX syntax | Use HTML and Markdown |
Bulky client-side JavaScript | Zero client-side JavaScript |
Conclusion
React and Astro are good web development frameworks that can be used in different scenarios.
React is a rich JavaScript framework that has amazing features for dynamic applications. The state management offered makes it easier for developers to create interactive dynamic web applications.
Astro is an amazing JavaScript web framework that is designed for content-driven web applications, for example, blogs. It has features that ensures the web applications are fast and SEO-friendly.
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