For quite a while there has been a great alternative to native development which is cross-platform development. The primary benefit is the reduction in costs and time due to making use of the same code for both platforms.
The React Native (RN) development of applications is a popular solution at present. In this article, we'll examine the React Native app development benefits as well as the popularity and outlook in the event that RN is the best option for you and also when it's not the best suitable solution for your needs.
What is React Native?
React Native is an open-source platform designed by Facebook using the declarative programming framework for creating native mobile apps that use JavaScript. React Native blends the best elements of native development with React, which is a top-of-the-line JavaScript library to build user interfaces.
"Most businesses that create mobile apps using the native stacks of today must compromise in one way or another. It could be in terms of productivity (developing the same product several times using different engineers on different stacks) or quality (making low-quality applications) or even size (focusing only on a single platform). The best way to avoid this is by inventing new mobile stacks - such as React Native." says Tal Kol, who was the former head of Mobile Engineering at Wix. com in an interview.
Many companies today prefer to React native app development services as a solution since one can write almost all of their code using JavaScript and then share it with iOS and Android and does not have to hire two teams of developers who maintain two distinct code bases.
Who is Using React Native
React Native was announced by Facebook in the year 2015.
Facebook engineers Daniel Witte and Philipp von Weitershausen have written in a blog post posted on Facebook Engineering's official blog Facebook Engineering blog, "We have been able to launch Facebook's first React Native app on two platforms with a native look and feel. It was developed by the same group of JavaScript engineers. Many of the engineers were knowledgeable about React before joining the group, but they created an iOS app that has an indigenous design and user interface in less than five months. After three months, we launched React's Android version of React."
After a long pause hundreds of fixes, updates, and enhancements to functionality have been released Today, version RN 0.63.4 which was released on November 30th, 2020 is the most current release of React Native.
Because of its popularity and ease of use numerous applications are using React Native as a solution for their needs. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Skype, Uber Eats, or Bloomberg and Bloomberg, there are numerous companies and top-quality applications that utilize React Native. React Native framework to gain an advantage in the market.
React Native App Development Benefits
Here are the main advantages, or the top reasons you should choose React Native for mobile app development.
- Reusable Code -- Saved Time and Money
Utilizing React Native, developers do not have to write separate code for each platform (iOS and Android) because Javascript can be used on both. In particular, the ability to reuse code enhances efficiency, which results in super-fast development and lowers costs. Additionally, the mobile app development process significantly speeds up because of the open-source libraries, which include UI ones.
Furthermore, if a business already has a website using React the code could be used to build an application for mobile devices.
1. Hot and Live Reloading -- Quick Changes
React Native mobile application development includes live and hot reloading capabilities at the heart of its. This allows developers to deal with changes to their code in real-time, and to make adjustments while the app is running Live feature will automatically load the entire app when changes are made while hot reloading merely reloads an area that is affected by the modification, which simplifies the development and testing process.
This makes the initial point even more plausible, making the development of applications more rapid, efficient, and easier to use.
2. Truly Native Feel
React Native components are mapped 1:1 to native development components. This lets developers draw interfaces much faster, improve the speed of the application and give it a genuine, native-like experience that is indistinguishable from the native application.
RN is also compatible with native programs and seamlessly integrates into existing code, making it perfect for the quick extension to native applications already in use.
3. Third-Party Plugin Support
React Native is still evolving which means that components that fulfill specific business requirements might not be available. React Native offers native and JavaScript-based modules as two types of third-party plugins to address the issue.
For instance, if you require integration of Google Maps into your application, React Native gives you the option of linking any plugin that uses a native or third-party module.
4. Community Support and Industry Popularity
React Native has the biggest community of any cross-platform. The biggest benefit of an active community is the support that developers can get. You can seek help from experts in the community or access sources of information relevant to you and can build React Native-based apps since RN is an open-source platform. There's Reactiflux chat, if you want to receive an immediate response to any query. It is also worth noting that there are numerous tutorials available about React Native.
Read Also: The Future of Mobile App Development: Emerging Trends to Watch
React Native's Downsides
Airbnb has been using React Native for a variety of reasons, according to recent news that shocked the entire mobile software development community. However, they reached the impression that the platform despite its many advantages aren't the best for their specific needs.
This is a great example of how even the most effective programming tools may not be able to handle certain scenarios in the business world.
1. Partly Poor Guidelines
The open-source platform as well as the possibility of creating new modules along with its benefits are not without imperfections in the form of inadequate guidelines.
The site Stack Overflow, which contains more than 95,000 questions about #react-native also raises some ideas. On the one hand, you may not have to worry about not being able to provide an answer to a question that is of importance, but on the other hand, you could be concerned about the quality of this library. In the end, if you have a library that works, will there be any questions?
2. Lack of Support for iOS & Android Features
React Native does not support all features on these platforms. Certain modules are not supported and require the development of a custom version. Other features might be unfinished or out of date, which means that developers have to design the modules entirely from the ground up.
3. Performance is lower than native Apps.
It is important to remember that JavaScript is known for its slow performance despite its many advantages.
The primary reason for the slower performance is the bridge that connects JS as well as React Native. In 2021, React Native promised to release a new bridge update that will alter the way native code interacts with JS and provide RN with the ability to perform better. Developers may also integrate integrations like TypeScript and Flow into the existing framework. With the right programming skills, an impressive amount of efficiency can be achieved.
4. Lack of Power for Complex UI
If you require a lot of animations, integrations, and numerous processes running behind the scenes in your app, React Native isn't a good option for you.
When it comes to screens that use complex gestures, developers could be faced with some issues, due to they are using different subsystems for touch. Android as well as iOS touchscreen subsystems are distinct to be able to implement a single API.
React Native's Popularity and Perspective
The number of JavaScript libraries and frameworks available for JavaScript is growing steadily. Each year, it is a fresh "killer" that promises better performance, greater usability, and fewer bugs. This is a process that can't be stopped, but it needs to be watched so that you don't get in a position where your system is outdated.
There are numerous tools to monitor trends. It's important to keep in mind that you have to use a variety of them in order to get an accurate overview. Let's take a look at the present situation in the marketplace.
Conclusion on React Native - When to Choose
React Native delivers a lot of benefits that are unique. However, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The selection of the right technology stack depends on the business you are trying to build and whether you're just starting out or are a successful business professional.
React Native is a great option for:
Projects that have a simple functionality;
Beautiful design and powerful interfaces, including social media and eCommerce.
Applications that are based on JavaScript;
Rapid growth in a few iterations.
But React Native is not the best solution for the following reasons:
Complex visualisation;
Feature-heavy gaming;
When creating multimedia-rich apps with lots of background processing;
Platform-specific apps.
We hope that you'll have fewer questions following this information If there are some that aren't answered, you can ask our experts for clarification of your concerns. Hire React Native Developers to get better experience & grow your business.