Master React Development

From fundamentals to advanced patterns used by Toronto's top companies

Course Overview

This comprehensive React tutorial series is designed specifically for Canadian developers looking to master modern React development. You'll learn the skills that companies like Shopify, Wealthsimple, and other Toronto tech leaders expect from their developers.

⏱️ Duration

12-15 hours of content
Self-paced learning

📊 Skill Level

Beginner to Advanced
JavaScript knowledge required

🏆 Certification

Community certificate
Portfolio projects included

Learning Path

1

React Fundamentals

What You'll Learn:

  • Setting up React development environment
  • JSX syntax and React components
  • Props and state management basics
  • Event handling and conditional rendering
  • Lists and keys in React

Hands-On Project:

Toronto Weather App - Build a weather dashboard using Toronto's Open Data API

📝 Code Example: Your First Component
import React, { useState } from 'react';

function TorontoGreeting() {
    const [name, setName] = useState('');
    
    return (
        <div className="greeting-card">
            <h2>Welcome to Toronto Tech! 🍁</h2>
            <input 
                type="text" 
                placeholder="Enter your name"
                value={name}
                onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
            />
            {name && <p>Hello {name}, ready to build amazing apps?</p>}
        </div>
    );
}

export default TorontoGreeting;
⏱️ Time: 3-4 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Beginner
2

Modern React Hooks

What You'll Learn:

  • useState and useEffect in depth
  • useContext for state sharing
  • useReducer for complex state logic
  • Custom hooks creation
  • Performance optimization with useMemo and useCallback

Hands-On Project:

Toronto Transit Tracker - Real-time TTC data with custom hooks

📝 Code Example: Custom Hook for API Calls
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function useTorontoOpenData(endpoint) {
    const [data, setData] = useState(null);
    const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
    const [error, setError] = useState(null);

    useEffect(() => {
        const fetchData = async () => {
            try {
                setLoading(true);
                const response = await fetch(`https://ckan0.cf.opendata.inter.prod-toronto.ca/api/3/action/${endpoint}`);
                const result = await response.json();
                setData(result.result);
            } catch (err) {
                setError(err.message);
            } finally {
                setLoading(false);
            }
        };

        fetchData();
    }, [endpoint]);

    return { data, loading, error };
}
⏱️ Time: 4-5 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate
3

State Management & Context

What You'll Learn:

  • React Context API patterns
  • Global state management
  • Redux Toolkit integration
  • Zustand for simple state management
  • State synchronization strategies

Hands-On Project:

Toronto Tech Jobs Board - Job filtering with global state management

⏱️ Time: 3-4 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate
4

React Router & Navigation

What You'll Learn:

  • React Router v6 setup and configuration
  • Dynamic routing and parameters
  • Protected routes and authentication
  • Code splitting and lazy loading
  • Navigation best practices

Hands-On Project:

Toronto Developer Portfolio - Multi-page application with routing

⏱️ Time: 2-3 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate
5

Testing & Quality Assurance

What You'll Learn:

  • Jest and React Testing Library setup
  • Component testing strategies
  • Integration and end-to-end testing
  • Test-driven development (TDD)
  • Accessibility testing

Hands-On Project:

Testing Suite - Comprehensive tests for previous projects

⏱️ Time: 3-4 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Advanced
6

Performance & Production

What You'll Learn:

  • React performance optimization
  • Bundle analysis and code splitting
  • PWA (Progressive Web App) features
  • Deployment strategies (Netlify, Vercel)
  • Monitoring and error tracking

Final Project:

Toronto Community Hub - Full-featured React application

⏱️ Time: 4-5 hours | 🎯 Difficulty: Advanced

Prerequisites

Required Knowledge:

✅ You Should Know:

  • HTML5 and CSS3 fundamentals
  • JavaScript ES6+ features
  • DOM manipulation basics
  • Async/await and Promises
  • Basic command line usage

📚 Helpful to Have:

  • Git version control experience
  • API interaction knowledge
  • NPM/Yarn package management
  • Basic understanding of bundlers

Development Environment

Required Tools

  • Node.js (v18 or later)
  • Code Editor: VS Code (recommended)
  • Browser: Chrome or Firefox
  • Terminal: Command line access

VS Code Extensions

  • ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native snippets
  • Prettier - Code formatter
  • ESLint - JavaScript linter
  • Auto Rename Tag
  • Bracket Pair Colorizer

Toronto-Focused Projects

All projects in this tutorial use real Toronto data and scenarios relevant to the local tech scene:

🌦️ Toronto Weather Dashboard

Real-time weather data using Environment Canada API, featuring Toronto neighborhoods and current conditions.

Skills: API integration, useState, useEffect

🚇 TTC Live Tracker

Track Toronto subway delays and service updates using TTC's real-time feed.

Skills: Custom hooks, real-time data, error handling

💼 Toronto Tech Jobs Portal

Browse and filter tech job listings from Toronto companies with advanced search functionality.

Skills: State management, filtering, routing

🏢 Toronto Startup Directory

Comprehensive directory of Toronto tech companies with detailed profiles and contact information.

Skills: Complex components, data management, performance optimization

Career Integration

How This Helps Your Toronto Tech Career:

🎯 Interview Preparation:

  • Common React interview questions
  • Live coding challenges practice
  • Portfolio projects for showcasing
  • Technical discussion points

🏢 Company-Specific Skills:

  • Shopify: E-commerce React patterns
  • Wealthsimple: Fintech UI/UX practices
  • Startups: Rapid development techniques
  • Enterprise: Scalable architecture patterns

Community Support

💬 Discussion Forum

Get help from fellow Toronto developers and share your progress with the community.

👥 Study Groups

Join local study groups meeting weekly at various Toronto co-working spaces and libraries.

🎯 Mentorship

Connect with experienced React developers working at Toronto tech companies.

Ready to Start Your React Journey?

Join hundreds of Toronto developers who have mastered React through our comprehensive tutorial series.