What framework or library is best to learn first? Is it React.js, Angular, Vue.js, or the dreaded "who-the-hell-knows.js"? And do you need to know all of them to get a job?
On your software journey, I am sure you will see this debate play out a thousand times on Twitter, Reddit, and every developer forum in between. If you are new to software development, this question can be incredibly overwhelming. To make matters more complicated, there are many strongly opinionated developers who will quickly tell you why the framework you finally picked was the "wrong" choice and not worth your time.
If you can identify with this dilemma, just close your eyes and take a deep breath. You are not the only developer stuck in this quagmire.
Heck, I was in your shoes not too long ago. I was constantly chasing the new and shiny thing, jumping from one tutorial to another, just to have the hype fizzle out in a few months. Then I was back at square one, with a shallow knowledge of many things but mastery of none. It was frustrating, and I also discovered that it was the perfect formula to fail.
The Problem Isn't the Frameworks, It's the Chase
The constant pressure to pick the "best" framework is a distraction. I call it "Shiny Object Syndrome." You spend so much time worrying about the tools that you forget to get good at building the house.
How did I turn things around? Well, in retrospect, the solution was obvious, but it’s hard to see when your mind is clouded with doubt and a million browser tabs open to "Why [Framework A] is better than [Framework B]".
I realized there is more to my developer life than always looking for the next BIG thing. There will always be something new. The truth is that almost all of these new frameworks are built on the same software fundamentals that have been around for decades. If you take a deeper look at classic programming resources like the Gang of Four (GOF) book on design patterns, you'll see the same core ideas everywhere.
Forget the Hype. Master the Foundation.
Before you worry about React hooks, Angular services, or Vue's reactivity, you need a rock-solid foundation. These frameworks are just abstractions—tools built on top of a core language. And for the web, that language is JavaScript.
Here’s what focusing on the fundamentals actually looks like:
Master Vanilla JavaScript: Don't just learn the syntax. Truly understand the DOM (how to create, select, and manipulate elements), how events work, and the asynchronous nature of JavaScript (
Promises,async/await). Get comfortable with modern ES6+ features likemap,filter, andreduce. When you understand how JavaScript talks to the browser, learning any framework becomes 10x easier.Understand Core Concepts: Every framework deals with the same problems: how to manage state (data), how to handle the component lifecycle (what happens when a component is created, updated, or destroyed), and how data flows through an application. These are universal patterns.
Don't Forget HTML & CSS: A powerful JavaScript framework is useless if you can't structure your page with semantic HTML or style it with confidence.
Your Game Plan: How to Finally Move Forward
So, let's sum it all up. Here is your actionable plan to escape the framework dilemma for good.
Stop Chasing. Start Building. Before you touch a framework, build a small-to-medium project with just HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript. A to-do list, a weather app that pulls from an API, a simple calculator—anything that forces you to manipulate the DOM and manage state yourself. This is non-negotiable.
Then, Pick ONE and Play. After you're comfortable with vanilla JS, it's time to pick one. Which one? The honest answer: it doesn't matter as much as you think. Look at job postings in your area to see what's popular. Try the "getting started" tutorial for React, Angular, and Vue. Pick the one whose documentation makes the most sense to you.
Connect the Dots. As you learn your chosen framework, actively look for the fundamental patterns you already know. You’ll have "aha!" moments like, "Oh, React's
useStateis just a cleaner way to manage the state I was handling myself," or "This Angular service is just using the Singleton design pattern."Have FUN. This is the most important part. Learning should be exciting. You're building cool things that didn't exist before. Don't let the noise of the internet suck the joy out of that. There will always be a new kid on the block, so focus on the core ideas, build things you're proud of, and enjoy the process.
Kenny out! ✌🏽