Learning JavaScript before React is highly recommended for anyone who wants to become a proficient React developer. JavaScript is the backbone of the web, and React is just a framework built on top of it. It is crucial to have a solid foundation in JavaScript before diving into React to ensure a better understanding of the code and to create robust and scalable applications.

JavaScript is a widely used programming language that is essential for web development. React, on the other hand, is a framework that simplifies the development of complex user interfaces. By learning JavaScript first, developers can build a strong foundation of programming concepts and gain a better understanding of how to use React effectively.
According to Addy Osmani, a developer advocate at Google, “React is a library that is built on top of JavaScript, so it is vital to have a deep understanding of JavaScript concepts before jumping into React. It is essential to have a good understanding of the fundamentals of JavaScript, including the core concepts, syntax, data types, and functions.”
In a blog post by Lukas Gisder-Dubé, a developer and software architect, he states, “Before learning React, developers should have a good understanding of JavaScript, including the basics of object-oriented programming, asynchronous programming, and closures. It is essential to have a deep understanding of these concepts because React heavily relies on them.”
Moreover, a study by HackerRank shows that JavaScript is the most popular programming language used by developers, with 73% of developers using it. React is also among the top ten most popular frameworks in the world. This is an indication that learning JavaScript first is a crucial step for anyone who wants to become a proficient React developer.
Learning JavaScript before React is essential for anyone who wants to become a successful React developer. With a solid foundation in JavaScript, developers can create robust and scalable applications with React. As Lukas Gisder-Dubé states, “If you want to learn React, learn JavaScript first.”