When it comes to developing web applications with a user-friendly interface, React has become a popular choice among developers. One of the key features that React offers is the ability to create a single-page application (SPA). However, there are times when you may want to build a multi-page application (MPA) using React. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create a multiple-page app using React.
First, let's clarify the difference between a single-page application and a multi-page application. A single-page application loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates that page as the user interacts with the app. In contrast, a multi-page application consists of multiple HTML pages where each page represents a different view or part of the application.
To create a multiple-page app using React, you can leverage the React Router library. React Router is a popular routing library for React that allows you to handle routing in your application. You can install React Router by running the following command in your project directory:
npm install react-router-dom
Once you have installed React Router, you can start setting up your multiple-page app. Begin by creating your individual React components for each page of your application. For example, you could have components for Home, About, Contact, and so on.
Next, you need to set up your routes using React Router. In your main App component, import the necessary components from React Router and define your routes using the Router, Switch, and Route components. Here is an example of how you can set up routes for your multiple-page app:
import React from 'react';
import { BrowserRouter as Router, Switch, Route } from 'react-router-dom';
import Home from './components/Home';
import About from './components/About';
import Contact from './components/Contact';
function App() {
return (
);
}
export default App;
In the above code snippet, we have defined routes for the Home, About, and Contact components. The `exact` attribute in the `/` route ensures that the Home component is only rendered when the path exactly matches `/`.
Finally, you can create navigation links in your components to allow users to navigate between different pages of your application. You can use the NavLink component from React Router to create links that will change the page content based on the selected route.
By following these steps and leveraging the power of React Router, you can easily create a multiple-page app using React. This approach allows you to build a more complex application with distinct views while taking advantage of React's component-based architecture. Happy coding!