What is React Native & Benefits of Using React Native for Mobile App Development

Mobile applications have expanded the scope of communication for businesses in present virtual times. Hence, more and more businesses are working towards creating and implementing robust communication strategies. Have you been planning to develop a mobile application of your own? Well, you can surely use a React Native framework for your mobile app development

React Native is an open-source UI software framework that was introduced and created by Facebook. React Native APIs help you build interactive UIs without any hassles. Want to learn how React Native can be your best option for mobile app development? Fret not! In this article, we shall discuss React Native and its advantages in detail. Read on. 

In This Article, We Have Explained:

  • What is React Native?
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of React Native
  • Pros & Drawbacks Of Native Framework For Mobile App Development
  • Importance of React Native for Mobile App Development
  • Conclusion

What is React Native?

To put it in simple words, react native can be described as a framework that gives way to cross channel mobile app development.  React Native tends to combine the best parts of native development with React, a best-in-class JavaScript library for building user interfaces. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of React Native

In this section, we are going to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of React Native.  

Let us first start with some of the best benefits that react native has to offer:

  • One Code Base 

React Native has a single code base and offers an easier implementation. It also provides you with uniformity across all devices. Moreover, the single code base is reusable.  

  • Less Development Time 

As mentioned above, React Native had a single code base. So, it is pretty much obvious that writing one code would take less time than writing multiple codes. 

  • Highly Advantageous For Web Developers 

Now, React Native has a JavaScript framework. This clears the way for a smooth transition from web development to react native app development. And this is the reason React Native is popular among developers. 

  • Open Source Code

This is one of the best advantages of React Native. An open source code allows you to perform code inspection and assess compatibility with other platforms. .

  • Hot Reloading 

This is one of the best advantages of React Native. Hot reloading is based on Hot Module Replacement.  The best part about this is that it allows developers to view the changes that they make during the app development process. Moreover, they can do so in real-time. 

Now, let’s have a quick look at the disadvantages of utilizing React Native. 

  • Absence Of Native Elements 

One pitfall with React Native is that it is incompatible with native elements that are already present in a device such as camera, navigation components, and others. 

  • No Third-Party Library 

Third-party libraries come with built in functionalities for app development. But unfortunately, there is unavailability of third-party libraries in React Native. And this consumes more time and effort in app development. There is less time to focus on core business logic. 

  • Incompatibility With Native APIs

There have been some major updates in   React Native’s latest versions. Still, it is not compatible with native APIs. 

Pros & Drawbacks Of Native Framework For Mobile App Development 

Building an application exclusively for one platform has multiple pros and cons associated with it. Let’s discuss them one by one. 

First, let’s talk about the advantages:

  • API Accessibility

When it comes to API access, native mobile app creation tops all development processes.  A native framework can easily integrate all the APIs and their advanced functionalities. 

  • Availability of Third-Party Libraries

Unlike react native APIs, a native framework is hugely supported by third-party libraries. 

  • Strong language

A native environment is of stable nature and is a good option for mobile app development. It can easily detect hidden errors in the programming code. 

Now, let us have a look at the drawbacks:

  •  The native framework is best suitable for a single-platform application and hence does not support cross-platform.  So, in case you need to run your app on a different operating system, you would be required to develop different app codes. 
  •  Creating new codes will also consume extra time and capital. 

Importance of React Native for Mobile App Development

Have you been planning to develop a mobile app? 

Wondering whether React Native chat SDK will work or not? Let us help. In this section, we are going to discuss how the capacities of React Native APIs can fit into your mobile app development requirements. 

Here is a list of points to gain better knowledge on the same:

  1. User Experience

With React Native, you can create a super-interactive user interface. It also allows you to add quick extensions to your existing native applications, thereby, enabling you to offer a personalized experience to app users. 

  1. Codebase 

The good thing about React Native is that it is cross-platform and uses a single code base for all platforms. The feature to reuse code increases efficiency and reduces costs too. If one is looking for a cross-platform functionality, React Native works well. 

  1. Programming language 

Now, JavaScript is the programming language of React Native.  It is dependent on automatic tests and lint tools. Moreover JavaScript cannot embrace modern technologies and complex manipulations properly. 

On the other hand, a native framework utilizes predictive logic and has greater variable control. It can also easily identify hidden bugs and errors. Also, native frameworks use Java, Swift, or Kotlin as their programming language. 

Hence, using React Native for mobile app development can prove to be a great option. 

  1. Long and better scope 

React Native app development is highly efficient. It is cheaper than Native app development. Moreover, developers need to write only one code. You can easily launch the app on other platforms in future as React Native has cross-platform capabilities. 

  1. Native app interaction 

React Native framework can easily interact with other native frameworks. The intuitive interface makes it extremely easy for other developers to look and assist in someone else’s app development project and build the application upon it. 

  1. Native module support 

React Native enables developers to easily upgrade the mobile application. Thanks to its intuitive modular architecture. A React Native framework allows you to reuse the modules for mobile applications. Isn’t that a great benefit? 

  1. Security of app 

React Native can also add security to your mobile application. Async-storage and realm are some of the top methods to store sensitive data and ensure security and privacy. 

  1. Maintenance of app

When apps are developed using native APIs, the maintenance cost is high as errors need to be fixed on each platform individually. But with a React Native real time chat app, this is not the case. Everything is addressed at a single platform. This is one of the biggest advantages of React Native. 

Conclusion

We hope our article helped you understand the meaning and importance of a React Native framework for mobile app development. Well, React Native app development can be considered when you have developers who are highly experienced in native app framework. React Native chat SDK can also be leveraged by start-ups. React Native is quite young in the market but surely holds a very promising future.