The immense competition in the app development world has prompted mobile app developers from across the world to adopt evolving technologies to develop competition-rich, functionally superior products. With so many technologies, it is no surprise if developers find themselves in a dilemma to choose the best development ecosystem for their project. The main worry that most businesses face is the app development time, and in a day and age when everything thrives on automation, the focus is to create an app with just a few clicks.
A successful developer will grab his hands on the newest technologies the second they enter the market because once they touch the ground, they become obsolete. So, developers have to make the best of these technologies while they last.
In this article, we will talk about why React Native is one of the best technologies currently in the market for app development.
Facebook founded React Native, a Javascript framework based on React, in 2015. It has since then evolved to be the perfect choice for building mobile and hybrid apps. The technology uses XML-esque markup and Javascript for building world-class mobile apps with stunning user interfaces.
If you review the populace enjoying their apps, you can see that it is mostly run on Android and iOS. And one of the best features about this technology is that it compiles to native mobile app components and is a fine choice for building Android, iOS, and Windows mobile applications in Javascript.
The steps in building native apps are quite streamlined, and the code is built from scratch using Java and Swift. Whereas, in cross-platform app development, the possible choices are HTML5 and CSS.
So, where does React Native figure in?
The technology combines the benefits of Javascript and Native APIs, giving off an amazing combination of scalability, portability, and performance. Web app development becomes easier as it outlines the UX required for developing native apps. Examples of mobile apps built with React Native: Skype, Airbnb, Walmart, Facebook, Instagram, Tesla, UberEats, Myntra, and Bloomberg.
Benefits of React Native for Mobile Apps
It’s Portability
The technology’s major attribute is its capacity to allow mobile developers to code seamlessly. At least 50% of the code with its crucial logic can be easily copied to another platform. This way, you don’t have to worry about additional bugs entering the application.
It’s a Modern, Developer-friendly Tool
Through React Native CLI, you can create a native app that runs on both Android and iOS right away. Yes, that’s right. You don’t have to spend time working on the setup and configuration part because of the superior tools of the framework. The tools are uncannily similar to Xcode and Android Studio, so it would be easier to work if you have knowledge of those.
It Has Live Reload
With the live reload feature, you don’t have to recreate the steps each time you need to reset the application. You also don’t have to go through the Google Play or iTunes Connect submission processes, thanks to tools like CodePush to push updates to the app. Every time you make a change in the application, you don’t have to recompile the app in its entirety, but choose the option Cmd+R and refresh it.
It Works Well with Small Teams
If you are tight on resources or budget, React Native would help you stretch what you have to the maximum limit and make the best use of it. Developers with good knowledge of JS and React can easily start working on iOS and Android apps.
It Has Fewer Review Cycles Through the App Store and Google Play
The framework provides fewer but highly qualitative review cycles for app revisions. So, for example, if you want to make any Javascript changes on your iOS app, you can make it on air; the review cycle will not be affected.
It Has Reusable Components
With the reusable components in the framework, you can easily compile directly to native. The components in iOS and Android have equal counterparts in React Native, making it easy to develop apps with a native feel, look, and consistency. The functionalities and speed of the app will conform automatically to whichever platform you are building it in. This lets you build apps with agile techniques and adopt a web-style approach to development.
It’s Free and Open Source
React Native is free, and developers can use the libraries, the APIs, and the code without any operability issues. And since Facebook launched it, the company monitors it fully, complete with a huge developer community that’s ready to help. The completely authenticated ecosystem is also an added advantage.
The Focus is Totally on the UI
Compare React Native with frameworks like Meteor JS and Angular JS, and you will find it is more UI-focused. This means, when you develop an app with the framework, it gives a fluid, natural feel and has a better load time than a typical hybrid app.
There’s Less Memory Usage, Third-party Compatibility
If you want to add new functionalities, such as Google Maps, to your app, then the framework lets you connect the plugin with a native module to help link the device’s functions like zoom, rotate, and use the compass with the map. This gives a smoother user experience and uses less memory but with faster loading capabilities.
Closing Thoughts
React Native has evolved to be the most popular Javascript framework developers love, especially since it allows them to convert instantly from a front-end developer to a mobile developer. You can start working with the framework if you are familiar with JavaScript, native UI elements, platform APIs, and other platform-specific design patterns.
Once you are done developing the app, you can use the framework’s library features like Flexbox CSS styling, inline styling, debugging, and support to deploy it to both Apple and Google Play Stores. It is true that React Native is fairly new, but with the efforts, Facebook is taking to perfect it, there is no doubt it will emerge to be the first choice in mobile app development.