What Is React Native?
According to writer ThinkWik on Medium, React Native is best defined as a framework that builds a hierarchy of UI components to build the JavaScript code. The components of the framework within both iOs and Android operating systems are what give apps their native look and feel. A native application is a software program that is developed for use on a particular platform or device. It can also provide optimized performance and allow users to take advantage of the latest technology, because it uses the host language and compiles to the host language for the operating system.
Why Is React Native Important?
When Facebook introduced React Native to the development market, the buzz was big and the program was almost immediately successful. In an article on DZone, five important insights are outlined as to why the framework has seen such massive success. The first is that it provides a framework for creating real and natively rendering mobile applications for a variety of platforms. Additionally, React Native translates all JavaScript code into the program’s native language and uses the same standard building blocks on iOS and Android. Finally, the framework enables fast and efficient mobility solutions and has been used to build a number of familiar applications, such as Facebook, Tesla, WalMart, and more.
Beyond these insights, there are seven reasons pointing specifically to why the framework has been so successful in the app development world. Most importantly, the build time for apps is faster because there are more readily available components and more easily accessible resources for building apps. React Native is also successful because there is one framework for multiple platforms; developers don’t have to reinvent the wheel when they want to develop something new. These are just a few reasons why the development framework has been so successful. This article outlines several more reasons.
Is React Native the Future of Mobile Development?
In short, the answer to this question could very likely be yes. According to HackerNoon, statistics show that, by 2020, mobile apps are predicted to generate $188.9 billion in global revenue via app stores and in-app advertising.
For developers working in such a fast-paced world, being able to keep up with rapidfire changes is important. The technology in React Native has become a viable solution to write beautifully done apps that can keep up with the ever-changing technology.
It’s important to note that React Native is the native version of the JavaScript library and provides a fast track to completion, performs well on targeted platforms, and is easy to debug. Because of this, the platform has gained massive support and popularity over the years. Github Repository Statistics show that 1,002 contributors have committed 7,971 times in 45 branches with 124 releases.
However, developers can’t forget why the framework is truly the future of development. First, there is cross-platform capability: first introduced for iOS, Facebook quickly realized that they needed to develop an Android version. Once they did this, they were able to make much of the usability cross-platform, so developers could use one codebase for everything.
Second, there is native functionality, which means that there are native widgets that perform flawlessly, making it impossible for developers to ignore things like usability and scroll accelerations.
Another advantage of the framework is the ability to do instant live updates. These live updates enable developers to push updates directly to users’ phones instead of users having to wait for the app store to cycle through the updates.
The framework is also very simple to learn. Because it uses JavaScript as its coding language, it’s perfect for novices who are new to developing apps. JavaScript provides a range of maps and filters that make it very simple to develop an app. The resources available to developers are nearly infinite, providing plenty of opportunity to create a variety of apps.
Besides being simple, the framework provides a really good experience for developers, including allowing for updates while the app is running. The React Native community is also very supportive and there are a lot of resources available for developers, regardless of skill level. The community is also supported by Facebook so it’s unlikely to fall between the cracks anytime soon.
Why Should You Use React Native for App Development?
There are several reasons to use the framework for app development, but among the most important is that there is a single codebase, which means that developers can write the code for either iOS or Android and use it for both platforms, which helps with the speed of app development and release.
There is also a third-party plug-in compatibility, which allows developers to incorporate things like GPS and Bluetooth directly into the app, reducing issues with memory usage and app load times.
Cons of React Native
One of the cons of the platform is that there is a small library of already made components for developers to use. Because of this, developers need to be fairly savvy in their design abilities. Because React Native isn’t purely native, app performance can sometimes be lacking, especially if developers don’t give it the necessary boost needed for it to work well.
The framework can also have a steep learning curve, particularly if you’re new to the development world. Because React Native allows for mixing JavaScript and HTML, coding languages that don’t necessarily come easily to the average person.
A final con is that security is low because of the JavaScript based library. Developers need to pay attention to security, especially in apps where people have to enter personal information, such as banking or medical apps. If users don’t feel like an app is secure, they are unlikely to use because they won’t feel like their personal information is safe.
Importance of React Native Today
At the rate technology is moving today, React Native is going to be around for a long time to come. It’s ease of use and compatibility with so many platforms makes it a universal program for developers at all levels, from novice to advanced.
