How to start a project with Create React App?
Starting a project in React is exciting and follows an orderly process. We are going to use Create React App
, one of the most popular tools to create the basis of a new project in React. To get started, follow these basic steps:
-
Start your project with Create React App
using the command:
npx create-react-app ReactStateMachine
Remember to change ReactStateMachine
to the name you want for your project.
-
After installation, you must move to the created directory to start working on it. Use:
cd ReactStateMachine
-
Before continuing, to keep the work area clean, you can use:
clear
Now that you have your React project configured with Create React App
, you are ready for the next step: installing the necessary dependencies.
How to configure XState in React?
XState is a powerful library for handling finite state machines that you can easily integrate into a React project. Here's how to do it:
-
First, you need to install XState via npm:
npm install xstate
-
Then, install the XState integration package with React:
npm install @xstate/react
-
Once installed, start the server to start working on the project:
npm start
When starting the server, make sure everything is working properly. Then, we will be able to create our first state machine.
How to create and configure a state machine in XState?
To use XState effectively, you must create and configure a state machine. Here we guide you through the process:
-
Open your project in your favorite text editor (for example, Visual Studio Code) and navigate to the src
folder.
-
Create a new directory called Machines
to better organize your machines code:
/src/Machines
-
Inside this folder, create a BookingMachine.js
file. This file will store your state machine object.
-
In BookingMachine.js
, paste the configuration you designed in XState Visualizer:
export default const bookingMachine = { id: 'booking', initial: 'initial', states: { initial: }, }, };
This initial configuration of the state machine establishes its structure and states. Now, we can proceed to use it in our component.
How to integrate the state machine in a React component?
Integrating the state machine with React involves using hooks to manage its operation. Follow these steps:
-
Create a Components
folder in the root of src
and inside it, a BaseLayout.js
file:
/src/Components/BaseLayout.js
-
Define the BaseLayout
component and use the useMachine
hook from @xstate/react
to initialize the machine:
import React from 'react';import { useMachine } from '@xstate/react';import bookingMachine from '../Machines/BookingMachine';
const BaseLayout = () => { const [state, send] = useMachine(bookingMachine);
console.log(state);
return <div>Hello</div>;};
export default default BaseLayout;
-
Don't forget to import your BaseLayout
component into App.js
:
import React from 'react';import BaseLayout from './Components/BaseLayout';
function App() { return ( < <div className="App"> <BaseLayout/> </div> );}
export default default App;
By performing these steps, you will have successfully integrated a state machine into your React application. When you open the browser console, you'll be able to observe the initial state and its transitions in real time - it's just the beginning of how states can improve flow control in your applications!
Continue to explore the power of XState, and feel free to experiment with integrations and transitions that you can learn about in upcoming lessons. Practice and experimentation are key to mastering any technology - take heart and keep going!
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