Problems with React

The article React I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down describes the most pressing problems with React. It does not require a lot of experience with it, and you will likely run into some of these on a daily basis.

In my opinion, one of the most interesting things the author had to say about React and its popularity is the following.

I can't deny that you have the best community and the best third-party modules. But honestly, it's a pity that developers choose you not for your qualities, but for the qualities of your ecosystem.

It really is a pity that people choose React just because many others did so before them. Is React better than its competitors? Maybe better than some, but definitely not better than all. And that React may have the largest usage numbers does not change that.

The author also mentions "lipstick on a pig" in the context of additions to React's API. These additions were only necessary because React and especially its Hooks have limitations in the first place. Covering these up with even more API will not solve its root issues but only introduce more friction. And the fact that their beta documentation is still in the works does not help at all.

I would enjoy a more diverse field of frontend frameworks¹.

1. Yes, React claims it is a library.