React (aka React.js) is an effective, declarative, and pliable JavaScript library designed by Facebook, meant for creating user interfaces. The software is dedicated to developers, who are enabled to build large web apps which utilize data that can alter in time, without the need to reload the page. React has many appreciated characteristics, but it’s especially known to be fast, simple, and scalable.
Advantages
- Cross-Platform: Develop for iOS and Android using a single codebase.
- Reusable Components: Share code and components across platforms.
- Fast Development: Accelerate development with a hot-reloading feature.
- Native Performance: Apps have near-native performance and look-and-feel.
- Vibrant Ecosystem: A rich library of third-party plugins and components.
Disadvantages
- Limited Native Features: Some native features may require custom bridging.
- Learning Curve: React and JavaScript knowledge is essential.
- Large Bundle Size: Apps can have a larger size compared to fully native apps.
- Less Mature than Native: Some features or libraries may be less mature or not well-documented.
- Platform-Specific Code: Despite cross-platform capabilities, some code may need platform-specific adjustments.
Components
- React Native Core: The framework’s fundamental components and modules.
- Third-Party Libraries: A rich ecosystem of community and third-party packages.
- JavaScript: The programming language used for app logic.
- Native Modules: Custom bridging for accessing native device features.
- Redux or MobX: State management tools often used for complex apps.
Development tools
- React Native CLI: Command-line interface for project setup and management.
- Expo: A development toolchain and platform for React Native, simplifying development.
- React Native Debugger: A standalone app for debugging React Native apps.
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code): A popular code editor with React Native extensions.
- Redux DevTools Extension: Facilitates debugging for apps using Redux for state management.