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React Academy · Lesson

Client-side Routing Concepts

Learn SPA routing concepts: paths map to views, navigation updates URL and UI without full reload; simple hash-based demo.

Client-side Routing Concepts is a free React Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the React Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

What is client-side routing?

Goal: See how client-side routing lets apps switch screens without reloading the page.

  • SPA vs full page reload
  • Path → view mapping
  • History updates

SPA vs MPA

SPA: one HTML page, JS swaps views. MPA: server sends a new page per URL. SPAs feel faster because navigation avoids full reloads.

Paths, params, active

Path identifies a view (e.g., /about). Params carry data (e.g., /users/42). Mark the current link as active for clarity.

Demo: simple routing

A tiny hash-based router: links update #path; the app listens to hashchange and renders the matching view.


<div id="root"></div>

History and navigation

Routers update the URL and history so Back/Forward work. Views change instantly without reloading the whole document.

Tips & next steps

Tips:

  • Keep links clearly active.
  • Handle unknown paths (404).
  • Use a library later for nested routes and params.

Routing concept check

In a client-side routed SPA, what typically happens when you navigate between routes?

Recap

Recap: Client-side routing maps paths to views, updates URL/history, and avoids full reloads for fast navigation.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Client-side Routing Concepts” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Client-side Routing Concepts” is free to read here on the web, and the React Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the React Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Client-side Routing Concepts”?

Learn SPA routing concepts: paths map to views, navigation updates URL and UI without full reload; simple hash-based demo. You practise React Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start React Academy?

No prior experience is required. React Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Client-side Routing Concepts” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this React Academy lesson?

Yes. Every React Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

  1. Client-side Routing Concepts
  2. Nested Routes & Route Params
  3. Navigation Links & Active States
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