React is a popular JavaScript library created by Facebook, used for constructing user interfaces. It has gained significant traction over the years and is now employed by numerous companies for their web applications. But the question remains: is React a full-stack framework?
In a word, no. React is a front-end library which emphasizes on building user interfaces, not a full-stack framework. To better comprehend this, let’s analyze the distinction between a library and a framework. A library is basically a compilation of pre-written code that can be utilized to aid in developing your application. On the other hand, a framework provides an overall structure to your application and assists you in arranging your code into smaller components.
React clearly falls under the category of libraries. It offers helpful tools and components which can be employed to create user interfaces rapidly and efficiently. Although, it does not offer any kind of organization or structure for your application as a whole. That’s where full stack frameworks such as Angular or Vue come in.
Full stack frameworks are designed to supply both front-end and back-end capabilities in one package. They provide an overall structure for your application which simplifies the management of different parts of the codebase. They also provide tools for handling data models and databases, routing requests between various parts of the application, and more – features that are usually missing from libraries like React.
Therefore, although React is an extraordinarily powerful tool for generating user interfaces, it is not a full stack framework. If you are searching for an end-to-end solution that provides both front-end and back-end capabilities, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.
For most applications though, React can still be an invaluable asset for designing attractive user interfaces quickly and effectively.