React Native allows you to build mobile apps using only Javascript, letting you create a rich mobile User Interface. You are not just building a “mobile web app” but an indistinguishable application, different than the ones built with Objective-C or Java.
Did you know that React Native was created by Facebook? It was announced at Facebook’s React.js conference in February 2015 and since then it is open-sourced. This framework lets you develop native mobile apps for iOS and Android with a single JavaScript codebase.
Can you imagine that with a single JavaScript codebase you can cover 2 different platforms? This means applications are now easier to maintain having the same development process for both platforms, it also requires less resources since there is no need to separate iOS and Android.
Even now is impossible to write an app without writing any platform-specific code, which raised the need for fine-tuning those specific cases when the components have to be adjusted based on the platform. This is the only case that could cost developers more resources. It is well-known that Android and iOS have different design guidelines. Therefore Human Interface guideline for iOS and Material Design for Android turn out to have some differences and must be adjusted to the project requirements.
In this case developers need to write platform-specific code and it can be an issue for iOS platforms due to the fact Apple regularly updates and deprecates their technologies, so developers need to constantly follow these changes.
Let’s start from the beginning, React Native is a framework based on React.js, which is written in JavaScript. The most important advantage of this programming language is that is being extensively used and popular with a big community that can provide support. There are always small “issues” to consider. Javascript developers need to carefully make sure the application is well-written in order to avoid application errors. That doesn’t mean that Javascript programs have more errors, but developers need to put extra time to verify that there are no app-breaking errors.
Now we know how everything started, but for what specific projects is better to use React Native?
- For iOS only or Android only app
- You have a small team and not enough resources to build an app for both platforms
- For complex apps that use a large portion of platform-specific code
- Take advantage of the fast speed of the application
- If your app is going to have the same look and behavior on both platforms.
Even though for specific type of projects it is recommended, React Native is still in development and there is more potential to be unleash. Later on it may be more powerful and efficient but for now it is not possible to fully replace native mobile development.
Are you ready to build your next app using React Native? Facebook provides enough resources so you can learn it step by step. Otherwise, do not hesitate to contact us.
