Created by Facebook and a community of developers, React Native is an open-source framework that uses JavaScript and XML to make native apps for Android and iOS. With React Native, you could make an app that cannot be differentiated from a native Android or iOS app.
The code for React Native apps is shared on two codebases, yet the apps use native layout components of both Android and iOS. With the help of the JSX (Javascript-XML) markup, the code is created using native layout components of each codebase, hence the name React Native.
Earlier, whenever anyone wanted Mobile app development services they had to allocate resources separately for both Android and iOS mobile app development. With the help of React Native and other multi-platform coding frameworks, it is now possible to create all digital assets from one codebase.
Though there are other multi-platform coding frameworks like Flutter and Xamarin, each has its own set of advantages and limitations. In this article, we’ll see the pros and cons of React Native app development.
6 Main Advantages of React Native App development
It speeds up the app development process
As you are working only on a single code, you can integrate any feature or update once and make it live after testing. In addition to this, there is vast community support that you can bank on when you are stuck somewhere.
Cost-effective app development
One common source code means you have a single dedicated development team working on your project. This also means lesser people can get more work done.
When you have separate teams for Android and iOS, one may be ahead of the other when it comes to completed work, sometimes one team may have to wait for the other to complete a certain task. React Native app development processes have no such issues.
Stable app growth
React Native helps developers to concentrate on developing the app without worrying much about the feature’s native development intricacies. Most of this is taken care of by the React Native platform itself. This makes the mobile app development process more stable and less prone to errors and bugs.
It has a rich ecosystem
React Native developers have a lot of tools and libraries at their disposal. This makes it easier for them to code and helps them whenever they are stuck with any feature. The wide community of React native developers also helps one another in certain use-cases and to solve other development challenges.
Integration with native applications
React Native has certain mechanisms that make it possible to integrate with native applications. This can help lower the cost of developing certain features as some of the code remains in React Native while the rest remains with native applications. When you need to transfer the code to another cross-platform framework, you only need to modify the code which is written in React Native, saving precious time.
External tools support
Making an application doesn’t end at writing code, there are many repetitive tasks to do like identifying bugs, testing, and complying with the app to the app store’s specifications. For this, React native app developers use 3rd party software to perform these tasks. The good thing is that most important external tools support React native, helping make the React Native app development process a smooth and quick one.
6 Main limitations of React Native app development
Not as efficient as native solutions
React Native apps may take more space than natively made apps. Additionally, they could be slower than their natively made counterparts. Dynamic apps like gaming apps made in React Native could have several performance issues. This is because there are communication challenges with React native apps.
Debugging can be challenging
React Native is a cross-platform framework made with Javascript, Objective-C, C, C++, and Java. This creates debugging challenges as the coder may need to know basic native coding language for the features to work efficiently.
The testing process can take time
The quality assurance team may need more time to test the app as they have to do it on both Android and iOS platforms. Though testing on native platforms takes a similar amount of time, testing a React native app could take longer.
Testing can be challenging
It is not just the time that could affect the testing process. React Native code translates JavaScript components into Android and iOS native coding equivalents. This translation essentially means the testing needs to be more thorough.
Also, as there is a common source code, any errors found have to be checked on both native platforms.
Android support is not up to the mark
The React Native cross-platform framework was initially made only for iOS. Though Android was added later, it has weaker support for Android issues. Though Facebook has addressed this, a lot is yet to be fixed.
Building a cross-platform team can be challenging
Just knowing how to code in React Native is not enough. The coder will also need to know native app platforms and their various intricacies to develop a successful app. This means you will need experienced hands to get the app made.
Summing Up
React Native is a great cross-platform framework to work with. If you want to make a mobile app, choose the best React Native App Development Services that suit your needs. You can save a lot of time, effort, and money when you get your app made with React Native. However, be flexible with your deadlines as you never know when any hurdle comes your way.
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