Is React Native good for application development?
React Native has simplified the working approach of developers by offering ready-to-use solutions. In the last few years, it has gained great attention in the technological market. Moreover, many young developers are opting for React as a career option.
The growing popularity of it compels many professionals to discover the reason for choosing React native. In this blog, we will discover every information which will give a clear picture of the same.
What is React Native?
React Native is an open-source framework that uses JavaScript and React for building mobile applications. Facebook introduced it in the year 2015 to enable developers to build mobile apps that can be run on both iOS and Android platforms.
It is also known as a JavaScript framework which is used for writing real and rendering Android and iOS applications. For building user interfaces, it uses the JavaScript library.
It is based on React – a JavaScript library which was already popular at the time the mobile framework was released. Also, it empowers front-end developers who earlier only worked with web-based technologies.
Developers can use the same building blocks which are used for web development. This is such as components and states and offers tools to render the building blocks.
Professional developers can use the single codebase in the React native mobile app development process. It significantly saves time and cost. The framework carries a set of pre-built components which can be reused across different platforms. It means developers do not need to follow platform-specific implementation.
What are the benefits of React Native?
React Native is based on JavaScript which is a website development technology. That is why developers who work on JavaScript can easily develop mobile apps using it. Developers no longer need to learn complex languages like Java and Objective C.
Native look and feel:
It combines the building blocks from native user interfaces. There is a 1:1 mapping of React Native components with native development components. The building blocks from the native user interface are present in it with its own JavaScript. Thus, this gives a native-like look.
Third-party plugins:
There are numerous third-party plugins including native modules and JavaScript-based modules. There is no need for specific web view functions due to third-party plugins. This enhances the app’s performance and functionality.
LIVE Reload:
The LIVE reload feature allows developers to see and work with changes in real-time. One can make changes in the code when the application is loading. Automatically, it will get reflected in the app. Even, it is possible to reload the particular area of the change. This saves time on the compilation.
UI Focused:
React Native develops app interfaces with the use of React JavaScript libraries which are fast and responsive. It uses a component-based approach that simplifies the simple and complex UI design of buildings.
Large community support:
Large community support is available in react native. Hence, developers can easily get support from experts who offer the right solutions to the problems. For any major issues, it is easy for developers to discuss them in the community and find answers. This makes the development process.
Cost-efficiency:
Developers can save development costs up to 40% through reusable code concepts in React Native. There are pre-built components in it. This accelerates the development process. There is no need for two different development teams for iOS and Android.
Popular apps built with React
- Uber Eats
- Skype
- AirBnB
- Discord
More points to Watch Out
React native is not purely native:
React native apps are never truly identical to true native apps, written entirely in Swift/Obj-C or Java. For instance, some workers check their inboxes in the Gmail app. The Gmail account is synced with the whole mobile system instead of just an app. With React, you are not integrated closely with the system.
Poorly written JavaScript or Heavy calculations:
Using JavaScript in React is a solution that has its drawbacks. You will feel the difference more strongly than before if the JavaScript code is poorly written in it.
If there is a heavy calculation, then JavaScript will slow down the performance. It’s uncommon, but the scenario is also considerable.
How does React Native work?
It works on three threads which are as follows.
UI Thread: It is the main application thread which has access to the UI of the app.
Shadow thread: This is the background thread that calculates the layout of an application using react library.
JavaScript thread: It is an execution thread which contains React (JavaScript) code.
A layout is created in the JavaScript thread using the codes. It is then offloaded to the shadow thread that constructs the tree of this layout. It uses a layout engine called Yoga. Here, the communication between the two threads takes place through a react native bridge. It serializes the data in JSON format and then transfers it to the UI (main) thread. It is the next step after receiving the rendered markup from Yoga.
React Native v/s Native apps:
| React Native | React Native App |
|---|---|
| React Native code is written in JavaScript and also works across platforms. | Native apps are written in languages like Swift or Objective C and Java or Kotlin. |
| It uses a single code base to build an application which runs on Android and iOS. | You need at least two programming languages to write 2 separate apps. |
| There are less codes to deal with. | Native apps efficiently handle platform bottlenecks. |
| It cannot interact with other native apps. | They can interact with other native apps and do data accessing. |
Last Words
React native has achieved a good place among professionals in the mobile app development industry. So, it is a satisfactory solution for the developers and end users. It is a good option when time and investment are great matters. If you are planning to develop a cross platform mobile app, then you can hire a react native from a leading company.