React Native in 100 Seconds

Summary

React Native allows developers to build cross-platform apps for iOS, Android, and the web using a single codebase. Unlike older tools like Apache Cordova, React Native leverages native components, offering a true native experience. Developers can reuse their existing React knowledge to create mobile apps without needing to learn Java or Objective-C. With features like fast refresh and access to native device functionality, React Native is a powerful framework. It also supports tools like Expo for easier app deployment, making it a versatile solution for building mobile apps or integrating into existing projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 React Native allows developers to build apps for iOS, Android, and the web from a single codebase.
• 😀 React Native follows the philosophy 'Learn once, write anywhere', leveraging existing React skills to build native apps.
• 😀 Unlike traditional approaches like Apache Cordova, React Native uses native components instead of webviews for better performance and user experience.
• 😀 React Native components like Button, Switch, and View are mapped to their native counterparts (e.g., UIView, android.view) on iOS and Android.
• 😀 There is no CSS in React Native; styling is done through JavaScript using the 'style' prop and a style sheet.
• 😀 Fast Refresh in React Native allows developers to instantly see code changes on any platform during development.
• 😀 React Native has an active open-source community that provides numerous packages for native features like camera, geolocation, and push notifications.
• 😀 Developers can use npm to install these open-source packages, just like with any JavaScript project.
• 😀 Expo is a framework that builds on top of React Native to provide all necessary tooling for app development and production deployment.
• 😀 React Native can be used to create a complete app or integrate with existing iOS and Android projects, making it a flexible, non-all-or-nothing solution.

Q & A

What is React Native and how does it differ from traditional web-based mobile app development?

React Native is a framework that allows developers to build cross-platform mobile apps for iOS, Android, and the web using JavaScript and React. Unlike traditional web-based mobile app development, which often wraps native apps in a webview, React Native uses native components directly for the UI, providing a more authentic native experience.

What was the initial approach to building mobile apps with JavaScript before React Native?

Before React Native, JavaScript developers used tools like Apache Cordova and Adobe PhoneGap to wrap native apps in a sandboxed browser (webview). This allowed developers to write once and run anywhere, but it often resulted in apps that didn’t feel truly native.

What is the core philosophy behind React Native?

The core philosophy of React Native is 'learn once, write anywhere.' This means developers can use their existing React skills to build mobile apps without needing to learn platform-specific languages like Java or Objective-C.

How does React Native differ from traditional React in terms of UI components?

React Native uses native components (e.g., `UIView` on iOS, `android.view` on Android) rather than HTML and the DOM to build UI elements. This allows React Native apps to have the performance and feel of a native app while still using React for development.

Can you use existing React web apps in React Native directly?

No, you cannot simply take an existing React web app and upload it to the app store using React Native. However, React Native allows you to use the same React knowledge to build native apps from scratch.

What is the 'platform module' in React Native and how is it useful?

The 'platform module' in React Native allows developers to detect the underlying platform (iOS, Android, or web) and render different components or experiences based on that platform. This is useful for customizing the app’s behavior or visuals for each specific platform.

How does styling work in React Native?

In React Native, there is no CSS. Instead, each core component takes a 'style' prop, which is customized with JavaScript objects. This allows for consistent styling across different platforms using JavaScript-based stylesheets.

What are some of the native features you can access in a React Native app?

React Native allows access to native features such as the device camera, push notifications, geolocation, and more. These features are typically accessed through open-source packages available via npm.

What is Expo and how does it relate to React Native?

Expo is a framework built on top of React Native that provides additional tools and services to streamline app development and deployment. It simplifies the process of building, testing, and shipping React Native apps, making it easier for developers to focus on the app itself.

Can React Native be used with existing native iOS and Android projects?

Yes, React Native can be integrated with existing native iOS and Android projects. It’s not an all-or-nothing solution; you can add React Native components to existing apps where necessary.