React learning path

I am a backend engineer in java and kotlin. I have a overall understanding how html, css, javascript works. And now I want to step into front end development world. But I want to take only necessary adequate minimum. And start slowly without jumping into lots of framework. My goal is to be ok with react, with side tools which serve react. I want to code in typescript, basically I would want to start with learning typescript. Lets build a learning plan as a bullet list and go over the list by guidance from your side, and I want to learn by doing

TypeScript & React Learning Plan

Given your strong backend experience, here's a practical, hands-on path that builds up gradually:

Phase 1: TypeScript Fundamentals (Week 1-2)

  • Basic types and interfaces - Learn type annotations, primitives, and how to define object shapes

  • Functions and generics - Type function parameters/returns, understand generic constraints

  • Union types and type guards - Handle multiple possible types safely

  • Working with arrays and objects - Map, filter, reduce with proper typing

  • Async/await with types - Type promises and async functions

Phase 2: Modern JavaScript essentials (Week 2-3)

  • Destructuring and spread operators - Extract values elegantly

  • Arrow functions and closures - Understand this binding

  • Array methods - Map, filter, reduce, find (you'll use these constantly)

  • Modules (import/export) - How modern JS code is organized

  • Promises and fetch API - Make HTTP calls (similar to your backend work)

Phase 3: React Core Concepts (Week 3-5)

  • JSX and components - Build your first functional components

  • Props and prop types - Pass data between components with TypeScript

  • useState hook - Manage component state

  • useEffect hook - Handle side effects, data fetching, lifecycle

  • Event handling - onClick, onChange, form submissions

  • Conditional rendering and lists - Display dynamic content

Phase 4: React Intermediate (Week 5-7)

  • Custom hooks - Extract reusable logic

  • useContext - Share state without prop drilling

  • Form handling - Controlled components, validation

  • API integration - Connect to REST APIs (your comfort zone!)

  • Error boundaries and loading states - Handle async operations gracefully

Phase 5: Essential Tooling (Week 7-8)

  • Vite - Modern build tool (simpler than webpack)

  • React Router - Client-side routing

  • Basic CSS/Tailwind - Style components adequately

  • ESLint and Prettier - Code quality tools

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