The official react tutorial uses jquery for $.ajax[1].
I'm really not well versed in any of these technologies (but came up with a fun personal project that might end up using them) so I'm assuming that using both together is tame, and that the venn diagram for the two projects doesn't overlap too much.
Effectively React replaces (in many cases, simplifying) the base DOM manipulation aspects of jQuery -- but of course it does not replace the other useful utilities jQuery provides, nor the many DOM manipulation plugins in the jQuery community. When I first started with React I was able to use those libraries without issue -- you do have to learn how (when) React allows you to access the DOM and when it expects you to clean it up but for an experienced dev, its a short learning curve. Over time, I've seen many libraries similar to those jQuery plugins arise (or transition) into React components and its been fine to slowly phase in / out as I please. Lastly, its been mostly straight forward to encapsulate jQuery (or other) DOM manipulation libs within a React component, such that consumers need not even know its being used internally.
After a local tech demo with some CSS3 stuff included, I was amazed by how much could be left out of javascript entirely. My goal with my next project is to learn when to use React vs. jQuery vs. CSS3 for various events that will occur on screen.
I'm excited about it, and I appreciate your explanation. I've never been a front end guy (all devops/scripts and some crud type stuff), so this helps me greatly.
I'm lead to believe that either jquery isn't useful for dealing with virtual DOMs, or that it does screwy things when working together with a virtual DOM system (like react) or both.
I've also heard claims that React's theory of slow DOMs is wrong. Which doesn't make it a 'bad' framework to make use of, just optimized on the wrong thing. I haven't had time to suss this out. I spend a lot of time in "good enough for now" mode because I'm not a dedicated front-end person.
