React 2024 Conf Summary Day #1

Announcements

React Compiler

The React Compiler was announced to be open-sourced and available for use starting from the day of the conference. It can be installed as a Babel plugin named babel-plugin-react-compiler.

React 19

React 19 is currently in the release candidate (RC) stage, and the stable release is expected within the next few weeks, pending any last-minute feedback.

Actions

First-class pattern for asynchronously updating data in response to user input.

Support for both client and server components.

Seamless integration with transitions, suspense, and streaming SSR.

Server Components

Enhanced support and features for server-side rendering.

Coordination of HTML document metadata, stylesheets, and scripts.

CSS Suspense

Ensures stylesheets are loaded before revealing content, preventing flash of unstyled content (FOUC).

Hydration Improvements

Better error reporting and tolerance for extra nodes in the body and head, improving compatibility with third-party scripts and browser extensions.

JSX Changes

Ref is now a prop, eliminating the need for forwardRef.

Removal of deprecated APIs like string refs and the legacy context API.

Community and Ecosystem

Continued growth in React downloads and usage.

Significant contributions from the community in tutorials, blog posts, and libraries.

Agenda summary

Opening and Initial Remarks

• The conference begins with announcements and music.

• Andrew Bosworth (Bos), CTO and Head of Reality Labs at Meta, reflects on React's impact and open-source contributions.

• Seth Webster, who supports the React team at Meta, introduces the day's agenda and shares his personal journey with React.

Keynote Speakers and Announcements

• Ashley, Chief Vibes Officer for React Conf, emphasizes community values, cultural heritage months, and the importance of respect and inclusion during the conference.

• Joe Saona, an engineer on the React team at Meta, discusses the evolution of React, focusing on user experience and developer productivity.

• Lauren Tan, an engineer on the React team, highlights the growth of the React community and its global impact.

• Andrew, from the React team at Vercel, introduces React 19 and new features like server rendering improvements, hydration updates, actions, and JSX changes.

In-Depth Features and Demos

• Josh (also from Vercel) and Andrew delve into specific improvements in React 19, including handling HTML document ordering, async scripts, and CSS suspense.

• Andrew continues with an introduction to React Actions and their benefits for both client and server-side development.

• Joe and Saa introduce React Compiler, a tool developed to optimize performance by automatically handling memoization and state updates.

Production Impact and Future Directions

• M discusses React Compiler's performance improvements at Meta, particularly in complex applications like Quest Store and Instagram.

• Joe and M outline the process of integrating React Compiler, its open-sourcing, and how it can help developers achieve better performance without manual optimization.

• Ryan Florence, co-creator of React Router and Remix, talks about the evolution of React Router, Remix, and their applications at Shopify.

Closing and Speaker Introduction

• Ashley and others close the session with a note on cultural appreciation and housekeeping items for the conference.

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