How to Check React Version?

React.js has revolutionized front-end development by providing developers with a streamlined pathway to easily create user-friendly interfaces. As an open-source JavaScript library, React.js has gained widespread popularity due to its robustness and versatility in presenting data through HTML. Variants like ReactJS or React.js are commonly known as Facebook React.js. 

ReactJS was developed by Facebook, and it streamlines the creation of dynamic web applications by prioritizing efficient rendering performance and adopting a component-based approach. By decomposing complex user interfaces into modular components, ReactJS empowers developers to rapidly build applications with minimal code.

Staying updated with the latest version of React can significantly boost productivity. This article will demonstrate to you how to check React version on systems. To do that, we need to determine the React current version of your operating system first.

ReactJS History (React Versions)

In 2011, Facebook developers encountered significant challenges while maintaining their codebase as the platform expanded, requiring more developers to handle the workload efficiently. This growth led to issues such as cascading updates and slowed application performance. To address these concerns and improve user experience, Jordan Walke created a prototype that laid the foundation for React.js. Initially deployed in Facebook's feed in 2011 and later on Instagram by 2012, React gained momentum and was open-sourced by Facebook in 2013 at JSConf US. 

The introduction of React Native in 2015 allowed for the development of native mobile applications for Android, iOS, and UWP using React. In 2017, Facebook introduced Fiber as the core algorithm for React, shaping the future of the library's development. React 16.0 became publicly available in 2017, followed by React 16.8 in 2019, which introduced React Hooks. The React version 17.0, released in 2020, marks another milestone in the evolution of the library.

The latest version of React as of this writing guide is React 18.2.0, released in 2022, marking another milestone in the evolution of the library. Now, below, you will learn how to check React version on your system.

What is Node.js? (Importance of Node.js Help in the Execution of React Applications)

Node.js serves as both a server and a platform for installing and managing dependencies in React projects. When Node.js is installed, it also includes NPM (Node Package Manager), a vital tool in the frontend development ecosystem. NPM simplifies the process of installing frontend packages, eliminating the need to manually download and add them to the project. For instance, by running a simple command like npm install bootstrap, you can easily download Bootstrap to your project directory.

NPM, or Node Package Manager, serves as a crucial tool in the frontend development landscape, offering a convenient dashboard for managing project dependencies. However, it faces competition from Yarn, another powerful package manager widely used in the community.

To ensure Node.js is installed on your system, there are various methods available. One common approach is to run the command node --version in the Command Prompt or terminal. If Node.js is already installed, the command will display its version. However, if you encounter an error message, it indicates that Node.js needs to be installed.

It's important to note that if Node.js is already installed but its version is outdated (before version 11), it's advisable to uninstall the current version and then install the latest one. This ensures compatibility with the latest features and improvements.

Why Is ReactJS Popular Among the Software Developers Community?

ReactJS has gained popularity globally in the software developers community, largely owing to its simplicity and adaptability. Many regard it as the future of web development due to its countless benefits. Currently, over 40% of front-end developers prefer ReactJS, and the platform has powered the development of over 94,000 websites. Below are some compelling features that make ReactJS a top choice for developers:

JSX Integration: ReactJS enables developers to seamlessly blend HTML-like syntax within JavaScript, thanks to JSX. This integration streamlines the development process, making it more intuitive and efficient.

Component-Based Architecture: ReactJS revolves around the concept of components, breaking down complex user interfaces into manageable and reusable elements. This approach simplifies UI/UX development, enhancing modularity and maintainability.

Props for Customization: With ReactJS, developers can leverage props to pass custom data to individual UI components. This capability empowers developers to tailor components according to specific requirements, enhancing flexibility and versatility.

State Management: ReactJS provides a state mechanism, allowing developers to centralize dynamic data management. By encapsulating changing content within a single section, developers can streamline the development process and ensure consistency across the application.

Virtual DOM: ReactJS employs a Virtual DOM to optimize performance and improve user experience. Unlike traditional DOM manipulation, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, the Virtual DOM efficiently tracks changes and updates, minimizing rendering overhead and enhancing responsiveness.

Overall, ReactJS offers a robust and efficient framework for building dynamic and interactive web applications. Its emphasis on component-based architecture, state management, and performance optimization makes it a preferred choice for developers seeking to create modern and responsive user interfaces.

How To Check React Version? (React Current Version)

React is a widely used JavaScript library utilized in the development of single-page applications (SPAs). It's essential to determine the specific version of React being utilized for various reasons, such as comprehending available features, keeping abreast of recent updates, and guaranteeing compatibility with other dependencies in a project.

Several methods are available to check the ReactJS version that is currently installed on your operating system. In this section, we will discuss some of the most commonly used techniques to check the current React version. 

Methods: How To Check React Version?

If you don’t know what current React version is running on your system. Don’t worry! we'll delve into the list of all possible methods to determine the version of ReactJS.

Method 01: Check the React Version Using the Package

One of the most commonly used methods involves inspecting the project's package.json file. This file typically includes metadata about the project, including its dependencies, scripts, and version information. By examining the package.json file, developers can easily identify the version of React being utilized within the project. To check the version using the package.json file, follow these steps:

1. Create a React project folder and execute the following command to create a React application inside the Terminal:

1. Now, you will notice the package.json file is created inside the application directory.
2. Navigate into the package.json file and open it in the VS code or other source code editor:
3. Inside the dependencies section, you can check the React version that is currently installed or running on your system. In the above screenshot, the React version 18.0.2 is the current React version on this system.

Method 02: Check React Version Using the Terminal or Command Line

Another approach involves using the command line interface (CLI) to check the React version. By executing specific commands within the terminal or command prompt, developers can retrieve information about the installed packages, including React, and determine their respective versions. This method offers a quick and straightforward way to access version details without navigating through project files. To check React version via the terminal, use the following command:

Method 3: Check React Version Using the ‘React.version’ Property of Default Import From React

Developers can directly access the version information within their codebase by utilizing the version property of the default import from React. This approach allows programmers to retrieve the React version in a programmatic way, which can be particularly useful when integrating React within larger applications or workflows.

The React library's default import includes an object with a version property. This property can be utilized within JSX elements according to our specific requirements. If you want to check the React version using this method, create a React project using the command we mentioned above and type the following code in the ‘app.js’ file:

Method 04: Check React Version From node_modules

Another straightforward approach to determining the latest version of React is to navigate to the directory node_modules/react/cjs/react.development.js. Within this file, you can locate the version information typically provided under the comment section.

Check the React Native Version

To check the version of React Native, you can execute the following command:

To check the current React version Native installed on your local development system, you can utilize the command provided below:

By leveraging the above-listed methods, developers can efficiently determine the version of ReactJS being utilized within their projects, compatibility, facilitating better dependency management, and staying up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Conclusion

In this guide, we demonstrated how to check React version using different methods. Several versions of React have been released, each introducing various new features. It's essential for developers working on ReactJS applications to be aware of the current React version they are using. If you have any additional methods to suggest for fellow React programmers to check the current React version, feel free to share them with us. 

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