Currently, the Internet is replete with various types of mobile and web applications. Seeing the variety of programming languages and development approaches behind them, you can be discouraged to even start creating your unique app. Further, the more you dive into the secrets of an app development process, the more vividly you imagine upcoming “delights” of programmers’ life like the sleepless testing and coding nights.
But you can be relieved because there is the development framework that can free you from all that turmoil – React Native. This framework has much to offer to the developers and the clients who want to buy an RN application and have it fast. It is cross-platform, uses the most common programming language in the world, and includes features that enhance app development and design processes big time. Intrigued? Then scroll down to learn:
- The framework’s general info;
- React Native app development process features;
- Examples of RN apps created with it.
What Is React Native
React Native is a free and open-source framework for cross-platform development. It was created by Facebook on a React basis in 2015. From the very beginning, the framework included some innovative features that made it very popular among developers. Those features aim to expand native rendering capabilities, facilitate the app development process, and make it more enjoyable.
The framework helped many companies to create their mobile applications faster and cheaper. Besides, due to the truly native UI rendering and the seamless performance, some of the React Native apps won the hearts of billions of users. Among such RN applications are Instagram, Skype, Bloomberg, Skype, and, unsurprisingly, Facebook. We decided to dedicate the whole chapter of the article to the successful React Native mobile applications. You’ll meet them further in the text.
But before, let’s take a look at the RN development basics and the core features of the framework.
What Apps You Can Build with React Native
In the beginning, Facebook developers designed the framework to work with iOS and Android mobile apps only. The core code input happens in JavaScript (a widespread programming language), which makes it quite accessible for a large number of developers. Then, RN developers use Objective C/Kotlin (iOS) and Java/Swift (Android) to access the platform-specific APIs.
The Facebook company and thousands of contributors worldwide have been expanding the cross-platform capacity for years. As a result, React Native allows you to create more than just iOS and Android mobile apps. Now, you can use the framework to develop desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux), web apps, and more. Still, the framework performs much better in mobile environments as the concentration of features and tools is higher there.
Why Pick Out React Native Amidst Dozens of Options
The list of benefits is long and you’ll see the framework’s full potential first-hand when you use it. But before, it would be nice to learn must-know things to start faster.
Multipurpose usage
As we have already mentioned, React Native works with many platforms and suits multiple types of projects (banking apps, online stores, etc.). Also, it’s open-source so you can modify the code and customize your solutions as you see fit. In addition, React Native has lots of features and extensions that facilitate the development process. Start-ups can benefit from it even more because React Native allows the development of a full-functioning MVP at short notice (6-12 weeks).
All-including toolbar
Extending on the features and capabilities of the framework, we should mention the following:
- Reach UI & code libraries (UI Kitten, Native Base, React Native elements, etc.;
- Vast code analytics & debugging capabilities (App center analytics);
- Easy navigation through the React Native platform;
- Hot & Live reload;
- Uses Virtual DOM instead of Web views which allow achieving a truly native user experience.
Cross-platform projects implementation
Surely, the cross-platform capabilities revolve around code reusability. With React Native, developers can build an app for multiple platforms twice as fast. It is worth mentioning that you can reuse all the code throughout the mobile environments. For other platforms, the development process might be slightly longer.
Moreover, React Native shines in the number of platforms it supports. Unlike the many other cross-platform development frameworks, RN works with almost every platform (macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, etc.)
Easy bug problems solving
React Native’s debugging systems certainly deserve special attention. React Native Debugger tool includes such features as UI inspector, breakpoints highlighter, Network, and Redux inspectors. It shows all the drawbacks of your application and suggests ways to improve it. The tool enhances the QA process, reducing time-to-market.
Fast development process
The React Native development process is largely affected by the live reload feature. Apart from that, RN uses JavaScript to input the code, which makes it accessible for a larger number of users. The vital thing about the React Native is that the speed doesn’t damage the quality of the application.
Large developer community
Last but not least, the distinctive feature of React Native is the great developer community with the Facebook team as a leader. Apart from the updates and new features, RN contributors bring to the network the community supports beginners. So you can train your developers to work with React Native and rely on the community if you have any uncertainties. Above that, you can contribute the new features, tools, and libraries to the network, making yourself known to the whole community.
Top React Native Applications
We’ve already mentioned Instagram, Bloomberg, and Skype. But other instances prove React Native’s efficiency.
Discord
Similar to Skype, Discord has gained popularity thanks to its great performance. Today, it’s one of the most popular examples of successful usage of Voice over Internet Protocol.
This is another famous example of an RN app. Pinterest creators used React to develop the web application, so it was an easy choice to leverage React Native for their mobile apps too. Using the cross-platform framework, the company achieved its goals faster and reduced developing costs.
Felmo
Felmo is a brand-new app for vets and pet owners. Its main function is to help them find each other. Also, Felmo allows users to get acute medical care for their loved domestic animals, ask for professional advice from a community, and receive personalized info. Despite the novelty, the application has thousands of users and investors’ support to scale up.
Walmart
The world-famous supply chain used React Native to build its elegant and multifunctional mobile app. The app is capable of handling hundreds of orders seamlessly and provides the customers with detailed info on every item.
Wix Site Creator
This platform lets users construct complex as well as stylish business card sites. The interface and the toolset of the app are so intuitive that even school students will easily figure out how to use it. Sure, it wouldn’t be possible without the React Native UI libraries and rendering capacity.
Wrap up
With the rapid expansion of mobile development, there appear more cross-development platforms. But React Native is certainly the framework you should get familiar with first. It has an array of unique features, vast compatibility options, truly native UI rendering, and a large community.
We hope this article helped you to have the overall expression of the framework and decide whether it suits you or not. Good luck with your next app development project!