Gaining Traction with React

Learning how to build apps using the React framework has been some of the most fun I've had during my time at Flatiron. The JSX syntax extension, while a bit daunting at first, quickly became my favorite way to code with javascript.

Coming from the world of DSP programming, the main language I used was Max/MSP/Jitter. Building out applications with this software used a vast library of objects that could be routed into eachother with various properties for new functionality. This modular concept carries over directly into the React Framework - once i got the hang of building components and using props I felt right at home.

Looking beyond the elegant structure of routes and components, the other big draw to using React is the power of javascript. For my final project, I wanted to blend the new skills acquired at Flatiron with the knowledge of music theory that I developed during my time at Berklee College. Using javascript (and ultimately, JSX) this was made possible.

I had an idea to write an application that could find the relative scales of any key signature. I first looked at the logic from the standpoint of music theory; once I knew what was necessary to find the relative scales, I treated each scale as an array (of notes). Next I built out a function in javascript to iterate through each array (or scale) and use comparison logic to deduce what the relative scales would be. After a slight reformat to JSX, my app came to life.

Seeing the clear overlap in music theory and coding was an eye-opener for me. Music and code are both math at their fundamental cores, and finding a clear way to tie the two together felt powerful. Using the React framework made for an efficient development process, and I am certainly hooked!! *no pun intended*