What is React Native? – A Comprehensive Guide

React Native is a JavaScript framework for building mobile apps. It allows you to build native mobile apps that look and work the way they would on any other platform. It uses JavaScript as the primary language but also incorporates some Objective-C, Swift and Java code. If you're new to React Native development, you'll find this helpful guide. It includes everything you need to know about React Native's architecture and tools. It will show you how you can get started with React Native. However, This guide assumes that you already know how to use JavaScript and have some experience with React in general. If that is the case, read on. By the end of this Comprehensive Guide to React Native, you'll have built a basic app that can be used by other developers around the world — just like thousands of other apps built with React Native!

What is React Native?

React Native is a JavaScript framework that allows you to build apps using the same tools and technologies you use every day. It's designed from the ground up to be fast, reliable, and easy to work with. React Native is an open-source library that allows you to build native iOS and Android apps using JavaScript. It uses the same underlying architecture as React but takes advantage of native platform features. For example, if you're building an app for iOS, it'll automatically use its built-in camera and GPS APIs instead of relying on web technologies like HTML5. The React Native framework is built on the React project, created by Facebook in 2013 to help make fast, efficient apps for the browser and mobile devices. What this means to you is that you can use your knowledge of React JavaScript code to write code specific to mobile app development. It provides the logic for your app and allows you to reuse it across platforms using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. React Native enables you to use native features such as camera, geolocation, telephony, and push notifications while using HTML5 or Swift as your primary language. You can also choose between using JavaScript or TypeScript as your primary programming language.

What is the difference between React Native and Swift?

React Native is a framework for building mobile apps in JavaScript — think of it as a combination of AngularJS and Ionic/Cordova, but for JavaScript developers. It has a very similar syntax to other frameworks like AngularJS (you'll see some similarities in the syntax) and uses ES6 directly instead of transpiling ES6 into something else (like you'd do with TypeScript) Native apps are created for a single operating system at a time. Native apps are designed for a single operating system at a time. React Native is a JavaScript framework that provides a powerful yet straightforward working tool for developing online applications. To create two native applications, you must code for both Android and iOS simultaneously.  React Native is an excellent tool for creating complicated cross-platform applications. Consider adopting React Native if you are developing a large-scale and popular product. It comes with detailed documentation and superior technical support. It's also worth considering React Native if you intend to reuse code between your desktop and web apps. Swift, on the other hand, is a multi-paradigm and general-purpose programming language. It was created first by Apple and the open-source developer community. This language was released in 2014, and it was primarily intended to replace Objective-C, Apple's previous programming language. The language got rid of the legacy of Objective-C, and now generating code is incredibly easy and has almost no downsides. This is the simplest method for developing an iOS app.  It is a simple programming language for iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and other platforms. The main difference between React Native and Swift is that React Native is better suited for cross-platform development, whereas Swift is best suited for creating iOS apps.

How do I get started making an app with React Native?

Starting with React Native can be thrilling and a bit confusing at the same time. The first step is to install it, and then the next is to kick start your next project. However, The official documentation has a great guide on getting started with React Native. You can also check out this tutorial by Facebook's documentation team for more specifics about building your first app. But we will walk you through some of the best ways to install the software, and we recommend you check back to learn how to begin your next project with react native. 

1. Using expo-cli

Expo-cli is a command-line application. It automatically downloads and installs the React Native boilerplate, integrated with the expo API (check here for the installation guide). It's a simple method to create a React Native app, and it's the best way to get started with React Native. Expo-CLI provides numerous choices. Your application can be run and tested on a mobile device without any settings. Scan a QR code, and the mobile exhibition app will launch. You may browse other mobile applications made using React Native in the browser with an appetizer!

2. Using react-native-CLI

The react-native-cli does the same function as expo-cli, but with a different methodology and additional benefits. Apps installed with react-native-cli provide us the choice and capability of creating our own native modules in our app. You do not have to eject your program in order to create native modules. Ejecting allows you to use native modules as well as develop your own (we will explore how to write native modules in another part).  Creating React Native apps for various platforms is a distinct process. We may require a specialized configuration for a specific platform. To build for Android, for example, you must utilise the Android SDK, so let's look at how it works!

What are some of the critical features of React Native?

React Native supports many devices, including iOS and Android-based smartphones, tablets, wearables and embedded devices like TVs and cars. The framework includes features such as:

• Native look & feel: React Native lets you build apps that look like native applications on each platform (iOS or Android) without having to write or maintain multiple codebases.
• Native performance: React Native apps can load quickly, even with complex animations and multiple components in your app. This results in higher interactivity rates between users and your app!
• Highly customizable: The declarative nature of React makes it very easy to customise your application while maintaining a high level of consistency throughout your app's pages. 

However, there are other features of React Native, and we will emphasise on those in the coming sections as well as look at some advantages and disadvantages of React Native. 

What are the benefits of using React Native?

Native apps provide an exceptional user experience. They usually deliver high performance. The UX is also improved because the visuals are adapted to the UX design of the platform. Moreover, thousands of companies around the world have used React native. It's stable, performant, and flexible. There are many benefits to using React Native, including:

1. High performance and speed

Because they are designed for a certain operating system, native applications take full advantage of the device's processing performance. The apps function well, with no errors and a smooth operation. 

2. You can work Offline

Native apps can work even when no Internet connection is available. An Internet connection is required if you need any necessary capability to construct a native application. 

3. Excellent UI/UX Design Capability

Excellent user experience and design options are available. Developers, for example, may employ the most recent animation and UI / UX ideas.

4. Easy to navigate

The user interface of native apps is simple, allowing end users to understand how to use the app fast and effortlessly. 

5. Simple to integrate with existing infrastructure

Native apps are simple to integrate with device technology such as touchscreens, GPS, and cameras. 

6. Easy application installation 

Native apps rigorously adhere to operating system rules, allowing them more easily launched on the App Store. 

7. Increased dependability and safety 

Native apps adhere to all operating system rules and are vetted and authorized by the App Store, making them secure and dependable. First-rate features will be implemented quickly.

8. Reusable code

Cross-platform mobile app development enables developers to use the same code for several operating systems and applications at the same time. Using a single code is convenient for making modifications and keeping the code operational. 

9. Reduced development costs

Developers can greatly cut costs by employing a cross-platform framework. It helps to lower application development costs because it requires less time and effort to construct an application.

Conclusion

React Native is a great way to build native mobile apps, but it's not easy. It's an advanced technology, with lots of different components and tools to learn. However, React Native is the best choice when your application doesn’t need to do a lot of work. If your application needs to do a lot of work, then it is better to choose native development. But if you need a framework for a heavy app, React Native just won’t do. The best part is that it allows you to reuse existing skills and code for iOS, Android, and other platforms in a single codebase. With popular apps including Facebook, Walmart, Bloomberg, Instagram, Skype, Walmart, and Tesla, etc. Contact our team today to kick off your React Project development and take your business to the next level. Mobirevo is a React Native development company in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with experience in creating rich web applications, including SaaS and PaaS, that have the same or wider capabilities as desktop applications. We have vast design and technical experience in React Native application development services and are available 24/7 to provide support to our customers. Get in touch with us, and let’s talk about making your SaaS ideas a reality! Our dedicated development team has extensive experience. You can contact us today to get a free quote. Our team at Mobirevo strives to provide unrivaled services to all of our valued clients. You can also check out our case study page to see our client’s portfolio and better understand the quality of products we deliver. Also, contact us if you have any questions about our services, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Want to receive more content like this? You can signup for our newsletter, which features curated opinions and product discovery tools for building remarkable digital assets. If you sign up for our weekly newsletter, you will be the first to know when we publish awesome content like this. You can also visit our blog to see other content created with love by our amazing team.