Why 'vanilla JavaScript first' might NOT be the best approach!

When you dive into frontend web development, you'll need to pick up a JavaScript framework like Angular, React or Vue at some point. It makes building complex web apps easier.
A lot of people tell you that you need to learn "vanilla JavaScript" (i.e. without any framework) first. I'd argue, that you certainly need some basics but that you should definitely dive into a framework early - not spend months and years on just the basics.

Or go right to our framework courses:

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See you in the videos!

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[academind]

What do you think, should we learn all the details about "vanilla JavaScript" first or dive into a framework once the basics are set?

[briandesign]

recently started learning React and it has actually helped me understand Javascript better. Anyone else can relate?

[Foundingfatherfuzzy]

I learned the very basics of JS first through SolOLearn and another Instructors JavaScript 30 (short) Course. Then dived right into your MEAN Stack course then on to Angular. To me, it was a lot of work, but after taking many months to learn how powerful MEAN could be I felt like going back and taking your JavaScript course would be a good move.

After 8 months of solid learning about MEAN your JS Course STILL taught me so many things.

This path worked for me, and I think you're right to say that you shouldn't wait too long to dive into frameworks!!! Sometimes too much flexibility can be detrimental, and a framework helps to guide you!

[rutik]

This video came just when I wanted. I have spent a lot of time with Vannila Js and still I feel I am not enough confident to start react. But now I know what to do. Thanks max. You are awesome

[cameron]

I think going back and forth between them can be really beneficial. Especially if you run into things that don't make sense when using a framework. When you go back to vanilla JS you'll have those 'aha' moments. I think when you have moments like this your much more likely to remember them.

[teslavoltagames]

Just went through your React Udemy course. It was fantastic... and long. Kind of glad to be done. But I am itching to try building an app probably right after my upcoming trip.

[asmereg]

This video is exactly what I wanted the most right now.

[bjornarmar]

YES!! Thank you SO MUCH for this advice!

Story time:

I’ve been self-teaching web development for about a year now. I always hear to “get your fundamentals down first, ” and “make sure you learn and understand JavaScript before even thinking about a framework!”

This approach has led me to nearly HATE JavaScript entirely.

I know what it is, I know what it can do, and I understand it’s essential in modern web apps—but I HATE learning it now, especially when tutorials suddenly switch from being in ES5 to ES6 so I have to learn the differences, and also all the nuances about callbacks, promises, async, await, then, catch, this, resolve, reject, high order functions, arrow functions and GAAHHH.

Anyway, knowing the basics I’ve gathered so far about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, I’ve decided to start learning Laravel and Vue—it’s SO. MUCH. BETTER.

I get the logic and concepts of what is happening within the vanilla languages underlying the frameworks, and I couldn’t remember how to write the vanilla code properly for the life of me, but I DO understand what the frameworks are doing, and the frameworks are so much easier and satisfying to work with.

Once I finally crank out enough decent projects with these frameworks (and rebuild my entire portfolio site with them too), now I just hope I can find a job with “Yeah I basically know how the languages work, and I can accomplish what they do using their frameworks, but I can’t write the vanilla code or proper syntax from memory for you.”

/rant

Anyway, this very topic has been on my mind for quite a while now, and I’m so glad a seasoned dev like yourself has addressed it so directly and clearly. I needed that boost of confidence that I wasn’t doing it all wrong and out of order now. Thanks again!

[onosekewenu]

In my experience there are no React, Angular or Vue web applications that cannot be built with Vanilla JS.

[pjf]

There is definitely power in being able to only use vanilla JS instead of relying on frameworks. Using a framework is like building a pre made house with some custom options but not entirely. But with vanilla you can truly build something unique, implementing your own design patterns and code paradigm and having full control over the outcome. Frameworks will land you close to where you want to go but I think you need to know how to use the building blocks (vanilla js) to fill in the gaps and set your applications apart. I think a mix of framework and vanilla would be best

[realGabCassim]

I really enjoyed this! One thing I like about being a student is that our vision aligns

[majicMix]

I basically went right into React after I learned HTML\CSS. I'm not about to spend half an hour writing out query selectors and manually writing out elements when I can get JSX to do it in seconds. Thank god for Babel. The real MVP.

[szitastamas]

I started attending an IT-School in Germany 1, 5 years ago. Before it started I was learning HTML and CSS on my own, it was time to jump into JS and it confused the shit out of me. But then school started and we learnt C# which helped me A LOT. I would actually recommend learning the basics of a strongly typed language becuse it provides a deeper understanding of what is really going on with your variables or in your functions. At least it worked for me =)

[techslugz]

Lol, I gotta share this with ya'll! I have been avoiding this video because I wanted to learn Vanilla JS with no doubts in my mind so I could stay focused. Now I've gotten kinda bored, started learning react, realised Im a bit out of my depth and am now about to watch this vid to boost moral! 😆🤣😂 anyone else in the same boat?

[Fi]

Hi Max,
I would argue that after learning Vanilla JS, the React ist a better option. I watched first your Vue and then your React course.
For example the way we loop over an <li></li> in React with .map() in my opinion is way closer to Vanilla JS and is clearer than Vue using the directive v-for
Best Regards, Mori.

[gligom]

I don’t agree, the trend is clear, more vanila javascript. First learn javascript, the basics, the “hard” path, this will help in the long run. Having the javascript in your toolbox, will be easy to learn all other

[troyharris]

I greatly, and I mean Greatly needed a video like this. I'm currently going through your 100daysofcode web dev course and I got through all of the frontend course and moved to the backend.

The backend is pretty easy, but I find my interests align with frontend development and was thinking about learning the advanced JavaScript concepts section and starting your VueJS course afterwards.

Can't thank you enough for this take you have for it. I'm going to give it a try and build my knowledge from that experience and stop holding back, and just go about it in a crazy way. Thank you again Max (if you ever read this)!

[apniwebshala]

Thanks Max for this video.I was struggling in advanced javascript concepts from 1.5 years and and was not trying any framework because some webdev teachers misguided me.I wasted my lot of time in understanding javascript deeply but gained nothing.Thanks again MAX.

[centori]

I was asking myself that very question. I had arrived at that crossroad with a basic understanding of JavaScript and was wondering "what next". Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[tomsouth]

I taught myself with Max’s Videos and he talks sense. I can now use Gatsby React and Next.js along with a little PHP. Learning is doing!!