A Guide on React Native for Your Mobile App Development Needs

What is a common factor in the following apps?

• Facebook
• Walmart
• Instagram
• Flipkart
• Pinterest
• Uber Eats
• Discord
• Tesla
• Skype
• Airbnb

All these apps are built on the React Native framework.These apps give you robust performance, a personalised experience, and a smooth user interface. For these reasons, users enjoy using apps built using React Native. This is for the user side.

On the other side, developers have more reasons to select React Native. Reusable code, access to native components, and an extensive community of supporters make developers prefer React Native over other app development frameworks.

So, what is React Native app development?

Definition Of React Native

React Native is an open-source mobile app development framework. Developers use this framework to build cross-platform applications. It means these apps are compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

Developed by Facebook, developers of React Native apps write their codes using JavaScript – ReactJS. The same code works for both iOS Development and Android; no need for developers to code twice for different platforms. Thus, users get an excellent UI/UX experience despite a multi-platform working.

React native is actually a bridge between native and hybrid apps.

The code is written in JavaScript, based on which the features and structure of the user interface are determined. The user interface for both Android and iOS are implemented on their respective platforms. The React Native architecture makes the interaction possible between the user interface and JavaScript code.

And this is how you enjoy the best of both worlds – native and hybrid apps.

Benefits of React Native framework Code reusability

The best feature of React Native is that you can write the code for both platforms using JavaScript. Thus, you are not required to write two different codes for iOS and Android app development.

Also, if you already have an app built on React, you can reuse the code to develop more apps. You also have access to open-source libraries. All these features make the app development process faster and reduce cost.

Code reusability

The best feature of React Native is that you can write the code for both platforms using JavaScript. Thus, you are not required to write two different codes for iOS and Android.

Also, if you already have an app built on React, you can reuse the code to develop more apps. You also have access to open-source libraries. All these features make the app development process faster and reduce cost.

Many extensions and plugins

React Native framework provide access to a massive library of extensions (including native and third-party), using which developers can personalise the application. These plugins or extensions are secure and integrate with the main architecture easily.

Thus, you can customise your app as per your users’ requirements. Also, if you miss a specific component during app development, you can access the plugin from the reusable libraries and install it later.

Easy to understand

When existing developers leave the project midway, it becomes difficult for the new ones to continue the project. This difficulty does not arise in the case of React Native framework because the code is easy to read and understand.

React Native has a declarative programming style with a focus on the ‘what’ and not on the ‘how’. So, the code becomes simple and easy to understand. When a new developer joins a project midway, they do not need to restart it or spend a lot of time understanding it.

A supportive user interface

There may be requirements for platform-specific features in applications. React Native addresses these requirements perfectly because the building blocks for the user interface are the same as native apps.So creating user interfaces is an easy process.

Also, a simple user interface based on a JavaScript library reduces the complicated nature of app development. You just have to follow a sequence of actions to create apps that have less loading time and a responsive design.

Hot and live reloading

Live reloading means the entire application reloads in real-time when a change is made to a running app. Hot reloading means only the affected part reloads when a change is made. This enables the developers to monitor changes in real-time.

With this feature, you don’t need to restart the app or compile the code separately; you can do this while the app is running. This real-time change monitoring renders an easy development and testing process. Thus, you can develop apps quickly and effectively.

Adaptable to mobile devices

React Native has a highly flexible and intuitive architecture. It adapts easily to mobile devices. Because of the use of the Graphics Processing Unit, it is fast.

The development team finds it easier to create new updates for the application with the intuitive interface. It also makes the upgradation easier. This leads to lesser time requirements for the testing phase. Thus, developers save a lot of time.

A big community support

As listed in the introduction of this blog, some of the biggest brands use the React Native framework. Thus, we can see a whole big community backing the technology and helping other developers. So, you can access this community-led information repository whenever anyone needs assistance in this framework or has doubts.

Developers can also access some code base that they can reuse to build new apps. You can also collaborate with the experts or interact with the GitHub React Native community. Thus, your project costs and time reduce.

Drawbacks of React Native framework

Yes, we know many benefits of React Native make it a popular choice among developers. But, there are a few disadvantages of this framework as well. Not actually, disadvantages. But situations or cases where it is better to use other frameworks than React Native.

Frequent updates affect apps

Frequent updates are happening to the React Native framework, leading to changes. Developers must update the apps regularly to incorporate these changes in existing apps. If not updated, apps may not work as desired.

Not a good option for complex user interface

If you intend to develop a complex app with many animations, transitions, and integrations, React Native is not a suitable framework. This is because of the use of a common API for both platforms – iOS and Android. The biggest challenge is deploying screens because of the different touch subsystems for both platforms.

Performs slower than Native apps

React Native apps are developed using ReactJS, which is a slow-performing language. Also, some components are not compatible with React Native, so native coding is required. That is why the performance drops as compared to native apps.

Not a good option for computation-intensive apps

Some apps need comprehensive computation, which JavaScript language cannot handle. Basically, memory management becomes challenging, affecting speed and performance. That is why React Native is not a good option for such apps requiring rigorous computation.

Customised development needed for some features

Although code reusability is a great feature, React Native does not support some features or components of iOS and Android. In these cases, developers need to develop some modules or features separately. This increases the development time, or they may just compromise the feature to save time.

Not a good option for apps needing high security

An open-source framework is always a framework of concern for developers. This is because the security and data confidentiality may be compromised. So it is not advisable to use the React Native framework for apps needing high security, such as payment apps.

Conclusion

You know the pros and cons of using React Native framework for developing mobile apps. You also know the cases where you must not use the React Native framework. This is because choosing a framework or programming language depends on the industry of operations, project requirements, and budget.

If you are looking for any assistance with mobile app development on React Native for your business needs, you can contact DigiWagon Technologies. We can help build a cost-effective, customised mobile app for your business needs to build your brand profile.

About DigiWagon

DigiWagon is a prominent provider of website, web app, and mobile app development services in India. You benefit from the entire process of business analysis, UX/UI design, testing and deployment. We build excellent apps from React Native, leveraging the capabilities of the framework.

You do not have to worry about the security, performance, and speed of your app when DigiWagon is at it. We provide an all-encompassing services package, including designing, development, testing, and maintenance. Besides, we also offer digital marketing, cloud services, and IT consulting services.