Everything you need to know about React Native

In the past two years, React Native has risen to immense popularity with regards to application development. Not sure what we mean? The framework behind some of the most popular social platforms like Facebook, Skype and Instagram mobile application is built on React Native.

Cool, right? We think so too!

For every developer, React Native has been a jazzy, new world to explore for the past two years. From dynamic functioning, to faster speeds, to being able to add more features to an app without it lagging, React Native seems to be a dream framework for both; developers and consumers.

But if you’re still new to the gears, that’s alright; this is exactly why we’re writing this blog – so that we can bring you up to speed with everything you need to know about this powerful JavaScript framework.

Let’s start with the basics.

So, what is React Native in a nutshell?

As discussed before, React Native is a JavaScript framework for creating real, high-performing, dynamic and natively rendering mobile applications for different platforms including Windows, iOS and Android.

Just the name suggests, the framework is based on React; the difference is that this new one only targets mobile applications, instead of browsers.

Applications based on React Native are written using JavaScript and JSX. These are structures that are very similar to HTML and XML. React Native applications also call on native rendering APIs in Object-oriented C or Java, depending on whatever platform one is using.

Now, what does all of this mean?

It means that React Native applications are based on real mobile UI components, as opposed to the more common web-view type components. These applications can also access other platform features like phone camera and location all thanks to exposed JavaScript interfaces for platform APIs.

But that’s not all. Ever since the launch of this platform back in 2015, the framework has continued to grow and was later on used to create industry-transforming apps like Airbnb, Tesla, Facebook, Walmart and Instagram.

But, here’s a question you’re probably asking; why React Native? What does React Native app development offer, that other technologies don’t?

Let’s break this down into more granular details.

Why React Native has transformed the mobile application industry

It uses JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most widely acclaimed and used programming languages for mobile app development. The fact that React Native uses JavaScript means that it will be fairly easy to find a React Native developer.

Easy to push updates to users directly

Having to download app updates from Google Play is frustrating. React Native empowered developers to easily push updates directly to Android users. That being said, it’s a misfortune that the new Apple guidelines don’t allow Code Push in any of the AppStore apps.

High performance and dynamic UI

Many cool mobile applications are created everyday using a combination of JavaScript, HTML and CSS. These are also most commonly rendered using webviews. Now, even though this approach works; and beautifully so in some cases, the compromises performance.

Even though there are other frameworks that try to mimic the components of React Native, there is just no beating the real thing. The performance just isn’t the best, and no one likes using apps that don’t perform well, get stuck often, fail to load up etc.

With React Native though, your markup is automatically translated into real UI elements. The framework leverages whatever existing means of rendering comes with the platform you’re currently using, making it even easier to integrate your app.

Furthermore, the fact that React Native works separately from your UI makes sure that your applications are high performance and robust. This makes it easier to create mobile application versions of websites that will look and feel like the original website, without actually using the same technology as the website.

Code-sharing and cross-platform

Don’t like turning to multiple resources for building one mobile application? With React Native, you only need one resource. Developers can easily use React Native to target both web-based and mobile platforms with the same technology.

A whole lot of your code can also be shared across other supported platforms. For example, it was brought to surface in he React Europe 2015 keynote that the Facebook Ads manager application for Android is around 87% similar to the iOS version.

Having said that, it is also important to keep in mind that depending on the functionality of the application you’re building, it’s not necessary that all of your code will be shareable or cross-platform.

If you’re looking to create an application that you can deploy to both iOS and Android, React Native is the best place to turn to.

Better developer experience

React Native also boasts a Hot Reload feature, where it aims to reduce the time it takes to save a project.

So, all that is great, but are there any alternatives to React Native?

That’s a great question; and yes, in fact there are two alternatives that come really close, albeit will never replace, the real deal. Let’s explore them in a little more detail.

Alternatives to React Native

Xamarin

Xamarin is a cross-platform application development platform that uses C#. The top advantages of Xamarin are mature IDEs, high performance, comprehensive APIs and friendly licensing.

Weex

Weex is another platform that allows developers to create applications for Android, iOS and the web without looking here and there to more resources. According to Weex, it can easily out-perform other, similar technologies because of its fast speed, low footprint, easy syntax and even extendable APIs.

Conclusion

In the past two years, React Native has been one of most valuable and profitable leaps in technology, letting developers and consumers alike experience better, more engaging and better performing mobile applications.

If you’re looking to get a mobile application created for your business, we’d recommend going ahead with React Native because of the ease, simplicity and the high performance it offers. Need help with your React Native app development project? Don’t worry.

Softwareistic is a React Native app development company that specializes in mobile application projects that are both, simple to use, and also highly creative so that they stand out from the rest. Get in touch today!