Mastering React: Building Your Own Framework from Scratch

Hear from Anurag Singh (Software Engineer at DealsPlus) as he talks about React—a powerhouse in the world of web development, renowned for its efficiency and versatility.

MeetUp

Author

ChayanGrowth Marketing Specialist

Date

Nov 17, 2023

Mastering React: Building Your Own Framework from Scratch

Book a call

Today, we're embarking on an exciting journey to understand the inner workings of React and build our very own custom framework. Get ready to explore the captivating world of custom components, the virtual DOM, and the magic of state management.

Understanding the Basics

Setting Up Your Environment

Begin by preparing your development environment. Create a project structure, manage dependencies with Parcel and Babel, and transpile JSX into React.createElement. This sets the stage for exploring the world of custom React components.

Creating the 'createElement' Function

Delve into the 'createElement' function, the core of React. Build your version to grasp how React handles element types, properties, and children. This function serves as a bridge between the framework and your code, revealing the underlying mechanics.

The Role of the Virtual DOM

Explore how React handles the virtual DOM to enhance performance, ensuring seamless application execution.

Rendering Your Elements

Uncover the significance of the 'render' function, selecting the HTML root element, and building and appending DOM elements. Gain insights into making your components visible on a web page.

Handling Components

Custom components are central to React. Define component functions and enable their rendering. Learn to pass and access props, laying the foundation for creating complex structures by combining components.

Rendering Lists

Master the art of rendering lists dynamically. Work with arrays, map over them, and render lists of elements from simple to complex structures.

Creating Reusable Components

Construct a course card component, add CSS styling, and effortlessly render multiple course cards. Learn to create components that enhance code efficiency and maintainability.

State and Hooks

Explore the core concept of state in React, facilitating dynamic updates. Manage state changes and reflect them in the user interface. This guide provides an introduction, with an advanced exploration of creating a custom 'useState' hook available in a dedicated video.

To Conclude

The journey into building a React framework offers valuable insights into its inner workings. From custom components to the virtual DOM, rendering lists, and state management, this overview provides a foundational understanding.

Mastering React is an ongoing adventure, and this guide marks an exciting first step. The possibilities are limitless, and there's always more to explore on your path to React proficiency.

Watch the full meetup for more insights 👇🏻

SHARE ON

More from the engineering frontline.

Dive deep into our research and insights on design, development, and the impact of various trends to businesses.

The Enterprise AI Reality Check: Notes from the Front Lines

Article

Feb 12, 2026

The Enterprise AI Reality Check: Notes from the Front Lines

Enterprise leaders reveal the real blockers to AI adoption, from skill gaps to legacy systems, and what it takes to move beyond the first 20% of implementation.

The Three-Year Rule: Why Tech Change Takes Time

Article

Feb 10, 2026

The Three-Year Rule: Why Tech Change Takes Time

Successful enterprise technology transformation depends on a three-year investment strategy that prioritizes cultural readiness, leadership alignment, and robust governance frameworks to modernize legacy systems and improve operational efficiency.

Building the Workforce and Culture for the Future

Article

Feb 9, 2026

Building the Workforce and Culture for the Future

AI won’t replace people—unprepared organizations will. Learn how to build skills, culture, and leadership for the AI era.

The Constant Core: Why Engineering Principles Matter More Than AI Tools

Article

Feb 9, 2026

The Constant Core: Why Engineering Principles Matter More Than AI Tools

Successful AI integration requires a return to core engineering principles and technical foundations to ensure the workforce can solve deep architectural issues and manage complex systems when they fail.