Foundations Checklist: What to Master After Episode 3

Foundations Checklist: What to Master After Episode 3

Episode 3 is where the React foundation is laid: JSX, components, and how to compose them. Before moving on to props, state, and hooks, make sure you genuinely understand the following.

You Can Write a Component From Scratch

Without referring to a tutorial, write a functional component that returns JSX, accepts props, and renders something meaningful. If you cannot, the foundation is not solid yet.

You Understand JSX Is Not HTML

You can name the key differences: className, camelCase attributes, style as an object, all tags closed, and expressions in curly braces. You can explain that JSX compiles to createElement calls.

You Can Compose Components

You can build a parent component that uses several child components and pass data between them using props. You understand the children prop.

You Know Functional vs Class Components

You understand that functional components are the modern standard, why hooks made them powerful, and that class components exist in older code and interview questions.

You Can Split a Component Sensibly

Given a large component, you can identify what to extract into smaller components without creating unnecessary abstraction.

You Can Debug a JSX Error

When JSX throws a syntax error, you can read it and identify whether it is an unclosed tag, a wrong attribute name, or a statement used where an expression is required.

Why This Matters

Episode 4 builds directly on these foundations with props and state. If any item above is shaky, the next episodes will feel harder than they are. Spend an extra session nailing the foundation.

The Takeaway

Use this checklist honestly. If you cannot tick every item, do not move on yet. A solid foundation makes every later React concept click faster.