React Native stands out as the ideal framework for building cross-platform mobile applications. It streamlines the process of creating native mobile apps for multiple platforms simultaneously. With JavaScript as the core language, developers can craft robust mobile applications compatible with both iOS and Android, a significant time and cost-saving advantage. Moreover, it eliminates the complexities associated with learning distinct native development languages like Java or Kotlin for Android and C or C++ for iOS.

The numbers speak for themselves that React native is the most in demand cross-platform mobile app development as per Statista, and loved by 38% of the entire developer community. There’s a lot to know about this versatile framework. 

So, this article aims to provide a foundational understanding of React Native, its essential concepts. Let’s begin by exploring the meaning.

What is React Native?

In the world of custom software development, think of a framework as the foundation for building applications. React Native, being open-source, is freely available to the public. It comes with valuable resources such as pre-built components, libraries, and reference materials. Comparably, React Native offers the essential structure for an application. Developers can then tailor it to their requirements, saving them from the task of developing the entire application from scratch.

What does “native” mean in React Native?

When we say an application or software is native, it means it’s crafted for the specific operating system (OS) of the computer. For eg., a game designed for the Playstation 5 is native to that console because it’s tailored for its unique OS. Native applications and code are known to deliver a superior user experience—they run more efficiently and swiftly since they are intricately designed for their respective platforms. 

With React Native, you can create applications that are similar to this native behavior. Essentially, your app will operate on the same programming platform as a native one, even if it wasn’t originally built exclusively for that particular device.

Core Components and Native Components

Views in Mobile Development:

In Android and iOS, a view is a fundamental UI element displaying text, images, or responding to user input. Views, such as buttons or text lines, can contain other views, forming the essential building blocks of the app’s interface.

Native Components:

Android uses Kotlin or Java, and iOS uses Swift or Objective-C for writing views. React Native simplifies this with JavaScript, creating Android and iOS views at runtime. React Native’s components, known as Native Components, ensure apps look, feel, and perform seamlessly.

Core Components in React Native:

React Native offers essential, pre-built Native Components for mobile app development. These Core Components cover controls, activity indicators, and more. Developers can also create custom Native Components, and the community contributes additional components accessible through Native Directory.

Key Core Components:

• <View>: A versatile container supporting flexbox layout, styling, touch handling, and accessibility controls.
• <Text>: Displays, styles, and nests text strings while managing touch events.
• <Image>: Shows various image types.
• <ScrollView>: A scrolling container for multiple components and views.
• <TextInput>: Allows user text input.

React Native’s Core Components, documented in the API section, provide a foundation for diverse UI elements and functionality within mobile applications.

What is React Native good for?

Develop Complex Advanced Mobile Applications

React Native simplifies complex algorithms, offering a component-based interface. This allows developers to easily create intricate mobile apps and supports agile development, facilitating quick adjustments to market changes on multiple platforms simultaneously.

React Native is Open Source

As an open-source framework under MIT licence, React Native provides a cost-effective solution. Developers can access, modify, and enhance its code, benefiting from existing libraries and tools, promoting collaborative innovation.

Hot Reloading Feature

React Native’s hot reloading feature enables real-time code changes without app restarts, aiding developers in tweaking UI elements and styles efficiently. This enhances the development process by ensuring quick visual feedback.

Enriched User Interface

Utilizing declarative syntax and pre-built declarative elements, React Native produces an intuitive and simple frontend UI. Major organizations like Instagram and Facebook leverage React Native for creating adaptable and user-friendly products.

Reusable Code

With JavaScript compatibility for both iOS and Android app development, React Native eliminates the need for separate codes. This code reuse feature not only enhances efficiency but also accelerates app development while reducing costs significantly.

Cheaper compared to Native Development

Developing applications once in JavaScript with React Native saves costs compared to creating separate applications from scratch for Android and iOS. The framework promotes code reuse, streamlining development and resulting in substantial cost savings.

Enhanced Flexibility

React Native provides flexibility by allowing developers to access and resume work on other developers’ code. This collaborative feature enhances productivity and facilitates easier modifications and updates to smartphone apps.

Combine it with Native Code

React Native allows seamless integration with existing native code and libraries, enabling developers to leverage the benefits of both native and JavaScript development. This hybrid approach enhances app performance and user experience.

Ease of Adapt this Framework

Built on JavaScript and React, React Native is easy to learn, particularly for those familiar with popular programming languages. The framework’s simplicity, combined with the widespread use of JavaScript, accelerates the adaptation process.

Minimal Resources Needed

React Native’s extensive component library reduces the time and resources needed for app development. With the ability to create apps on multiple platforms, the framework ensures consistency and ease of operation across different devices.

Powerful User Interface

Featuring a scalable and reliable UI interface, React Native simplifies UI layout with its tools. It creates a bridge between UI components and native Java code, providing a powerful and user-friendly mobile application experience.

Modular Architecture

React Native allows developers to design modular features, creating reusable code sections for various apps requiring similar functionalities. This modular approach enhances efficiency and flexibility in app development.

Create Fast, Robust Applications

React Native’s performance surpasses other frameworks, offering better responsiveness and speed for mobile apps. By connecting to native components, the framework ensures improved app performance, aligning with user expectations.

Exceptional Community Support

React Native boasts an extensive community that offers valuable support to developers. The collaborative community helps overcome challenges, provides solutions, and contributes to a rich ecosystem of open-source tools and resources.

Minimum Workforce Requirement

A single React Native app works seamlessly across various platforms, eliminating the need for separate development teams. While specific platform features may require dedicated teams, overall workforce requirements are significantly reduced.

Third-Party Library Support

React Native provides numerous third-party libraries for JavaScript and native modules, expediting app development. These libraries enhance functionality without compromising app performance, contributing to a smoother development process.

React Native App Development Prerequisites

Programming Concepts

Before starting React Native app development, understanding fundamental programming concepts is crucial. These include functions, objects, arrays, and to a lesser extent, classes form the building blocks of software development. If you’re familiar with such concepts, it enhances your ability to create efficient and effective React Native applications.

Basic JavaScript Knowledge

A foundational knowledge of JavaScript is essential. As the primary language for React Native development, JavaScript proficiency allows you to navigate the React Native framework effectively. It includes grasping key language features, data structures, and programming paradigms to write robust code.

Familiarity with HTML and CSS

While not mandatory, having a degree of familiarity with HTML and CSS proves beneficial. React Native, though different from web development, shares some styling principles. This familiarity aids in understanding layout structures and styling conventions, contributing to a smoother adaptation to React Native.

Previous React Experience

If you’ve worked with React previously, transitioning to React Native becomes seamless. React Native inherits many concepts from React, making the learning curve less steep. Your existing knowledge of React components, state management, and JSX syntax directly applies to React Native, facilitating a smoother development experience.

How to Create a React Native Application?

Prepare Development Environment

Set up your development environment for application creation, installing necessary tools and dependencies for React Native development.

Install Expo App on Mobile

Improve your development experience by installing the Expo app on your mobile device. This allows real-time previews of the application, providing insights into appearance and functionality.

Visualize Application Components

Before coding, visualize the application’s components. Plan and structure the project in your text editor, ensuring an organized approach.

Add Components to Project

Implement visualized components by adding them to your project, leveraging React Native’s component-based architecture.

Verify Component Functionality

Ensure seamless functionality of each component. Thoroughly test and validate, addressing any potential issues.

Enjoy Results and Tweak Design/Functionality

Cherish your fully functional mobile application. Enjoy results and fine-tune design/functionality if desired.

With these steps, you’ve successfully developed a React Native mobile application. 

Conclusion

React Native has become a contemporary and hot favourite among mobile app developers and has already made a big hit in the industry. So, it’s pretty clear that the framework is here to stay. This is not just a well-organized framework for development experts but a profitable technology and a competent solution for users. If you’re running a business or an individual who wants to learn React Native, it is advisable to consult with a professional React Native App Development company for top-notch cross-platform development solutions.