React Native is an open-source framework for building mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It allows developers to use a single codebase for building apps for both iOS and Android platforms, enabling them to save time and resources. Additionally, it leverages the popularity of React, a widely-used JavaScript library for building user interfaces, to make it easier for web developers to transition to mobile app development.
React Native also provides a high level of performance, as it allows apps to access native features and perform like native apps. With its growing popularity, more and more companies are choosing to use React Native for mobile app development. It's worth evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of React Native to decide whether it's a good fit for your specific project.
What Is All This Buzz About React Native For Mobile App?
Mobile app The question that still baffles many developers is how they can adopt a platform that is user-friendly, smart, swift and lets you compose a rich mobile UI from declarative components.
Well, the answer is React Native.
Origins of React Native
Facebook is the hub of innovations and when one of the senior software developers at Facebook was facing the problem of technology limitations and higher customer demand for customization in Facebook app, Jordan Walke designed a framework that could support languages like HTML and JavaScript without causing a lag in the deployment of the framework.
Developers’ Dreams Have Come True With The Advent of React Native
Native apps faced the challenge for going cross-platform because they were being developed for one kind of platform but with the invention of React Native, the idea of having a single code for all platforms turned into a reality.
A react native app is a real mobile app that cannot be distinguished from apps built with languages like Java and Objective-C.
It is composed of the same User Interface as the ones used to build an iOS, Android application or web application.
This is neither native nor hybrid but a simple cross-platform framework that removes the hassle of creating different codes for different mobile OS platforms.
Why React Native Is Witnessing Widespread Adoption?
Since React Native eliminates the requirement of knowing iOS’ Swift or Android specific Java, it has truly become a cross-platform framework. It creates the feasibility of sharing approximately 96% of the code with some additional API integrations, naturally resulting in cost efficiency and shorter mobile app cycles. Since the code is same for Android, iOS and web application, you just need to know the JavaScript code and you get a cross-platform native app. It has recently become compatible with Windows and tvOS as well.
3. Learning Curve Isn’t That Steep
Due to the low entry threshold, developers can learn to code in React Native if they have the knowledge of HTML, Java and CSS. Even if a frontend
developer does not know how to code in React Native, all he/she has to do is to google which mobile components respond with which web components and they are good to go. Since there is a large number of Java developers, you can easily find resources to work on React.
4. Hybrid Apps Can Now Render Natively
Even though you see cross-platform apps built on React Native, they appear to be native due to the integration and usage of native components and give a look like they are specifically developed for iOS or Android platforms.
Also, you can apply react native UI components into existing app’s code and even if your hybrid app was developed with Ionic or Cordova, you can reuse the Cordova-based code by adding a plug-in.
5. Higher Efficiency At A Lower Cost
Since you are using one code for all platforms, the development cycle becomes much more efficient due to the reduction of time. The “Hot Reload” feature of React Native allows you to view all the changes made into the code as a separate preview and you can easily rectify the changes made in the code.
The cost of hiring different developers for Android specific Java and iOS’s Swift is cut down due to the elimination of their need when using React Native.
Also, the advanced UI features of React Native increase the speed of application while using less memory as compared to when developed in Ionic.
6. Seamless API Integrations
React comes with the feature of using components and hence fetching data from an API becomes easier. Third party integrations would save your time to go to a Web view for specific third-party service.
For example, if you want to integrate google maps with your app, React Native will allow you to link the plugin with a native module. This saves memory, makes the process faster and lets you customize your app with a smooth running of the app.
The Cons Of React Native
React Native is owned by Facebook and there is always an uncertainty attached to this framework. Because we never know when Facebook might end this project and then, a lot of major apps might run out of business because they are built on React Native. Also, even though React Native has pretty much developed and highly engineered framework, we still come across different bugs while coding in this framework, it is improving with time.
Final Thoughts
Development in React Native is agile, cost-effective and highly efficient and the developer does not have to worry about creating different codes for Android or iOS platforms. Hence, it is still considered as one of the most advanced and widely used frameworks by the world’s leading software development firms.
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