10 Reasons Why React Native is the Best Choice for App Development
Have you heard of React Native? If so, you may be wondering why it’s such a big deal and why everyone’s talking about it! So let’s talk about the 10 most important reasons to use React Native. These will cover both technical and business benefits, as well as potential pitfalls to avoid along the way. Let’s get into it!
1) It lowers costs
There are two aspects to lowering costs: development and long-term maintenance. First, using a JavaScript framework allows you to create an app faster than if you were using Objective-C or Java. Second, as far as maintenance goes, mobile apps are constantly updated and new features are often added; some software companies even require developers to maintain backward compatibility, which means that they have to rewrite code every time a new version comes out! Since your entire codebase will be written in JavaScript (for react native), none of these issues will affect you. Maintenance costs should drop significantly when compared with traditional mobile development frameworks.
2) Accelerates time to market
Since there’s no need to re-write code from scratch in another language or learn how to use a new set of tools, you can get your app up and running much faster than with other platforms. From concept to live, your app can be ready for market in less than a month—often much less. And if you do decide that native development is right for you at some point, any work done with React Native will save you a lot of time and money when it comes to future updates. For now, though, cutting-edge features are within reach as soon as they’re available because development happens just one way: in JavaScript.
3) Focuses on mobile only
Some developers prefer to use a framework that helps them write code once and deploy it on many different devices. At their core, Facebook’s React Native and Google’s Flutter are tools that help you achieve one goal: build apps using only JavaScript. Both of these frameworks allow you to design, build, test, and deploy your application in a single environment. Ultimately, though both of these tools are great at what they do, you may want to choose one over another based on your project’s specific needs. So if you’re looking for an all-in-one tool for building mobile applications (and if your development budget can support it), then we’d recommend choosing React Native.
Read : 7 Tips to Start iOS App Development With an Android Background
4) Allows you to use one skill set
Because you can use JavaScript to code on either platform, you’re less likely to fall into that rut of not knowing what you’re doing. You’ll never have to learn a different language and will be able to use one programming skill set for both Android and iOS. The barrier to entry will also be much lower because both languages are based on Java, so if you know how one works, it’s very easy to pick up another. Using a single programming language can save time overall and ensure that your apps are released with fewer bugs than ever before.
5) The future of React.js
The real power of React.js comes from its ecosystem of tools, libraries, and packages that expand on its core functionality. For example, some developers choose to pair React with Redux (which adds state management capabilities) or MobX (which builds on top of plain ol’ JavaScript). The important thing to remember about any technology you’re considering using for your app is that it’s almost always an ecosystem as much as it is a framework/library. The more time you spend digging into your options, the better you’ll understand which technologies are a good fit and which ones aren’t worth your time. And if in doubt? Ask around—you can find plenty of Q&A sites online where people have discussed exactly what you’re thinking about trying out.
6) Google loves it
As a popular open-source framework, React Native naturally gets a lot of exposure. Since it’s so widely used, it’s also considered best practice in a number of situations. That exposure, coupled with its high adoption rate among highly skilled developers means that Google loves to rank apps created with React Native higher than other mobile apps in search results. If you want your app to get noticed, having it developed using one of Google’s favourite tools can only help.
7) You don’t need an in-house team
There are no in-house developers required. You won’t have to hire a team of expensive mobile app developers to build your product, which frees up funds that can be used on other aspects of your business. You get complete control over design and functionality: If you know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (the technologies behind web development), you’ll feel right at home with React Native. The SDK handles everything from device targeting to optimising assets; all you need to do is provide designs and implement them! If a change needs to be made, it’s made right away: New features are immediately available after they’re implemented—no more waiting for an app store approval process! Everything works fast! hire react native developer for your next project.
8) Don’t forget cross-platform
An oft-forgotten point in developing apps—but absolutely critical if you want to make sure your users can access your app across multiple devices—is building it cross-platform. If you don’t, it might work on your smartphone, but when a user tries to install it on their tablet, they’ll be disappointed. Look into integrating a platform like PhoneGap into your development process; it will make things much easier down the road (and could save you time and money now). Developing applications natively also means that each device needs its own design considerations; developing cross-platform means these considerations are far fewer and are easier to manage.
9) Refactoring with ease – hot reloading is awesome!
When you develop an app, your code needs to be fast and stable. You cannot make changes to your code or else it will crash your app. This limitation can be a problem if you are not familiar with software engineering best practices like refactoring. Refactoring basically means improving your code in a way that does not change its external behaviour (i.e., how it works). That may sound simple, but as applications get more complex, refactoring code becomes necessary if you want to continue improving its performance and fixing bugs without compromising existing functionality. When using JavaScript, you have tools like JSHint that help find common coding mistakes.
10) It increases your knowledge and network.
There are more than 3,000 ReactJS Meetup groups worldwide. This means that you’ll get to know a lot of people and make lots of friends by participating in those groups. This can help you build up your network which can be essential for getting yourself hired when looking for a job after graduation. It’s an awesome feeling when someone calls you and offers you a job without having to apply anywhere because they just saw your profile on LinkedIn and liked it! Not only will you be able to work full-time with React, but at some point down the road, it will also look good on your resume too!
Conclusions
React native uses a virtual DOM, allowing it to re-render only what changed in your code. Because of its diffing algorithm, you can use things like virtual scrolling without worrying about performance. In addition, not having to install a build toolchain means less time waiting around compiling your app and more time coding. Of course, if you’re familiar with JSX then using react native will be a breeze, but even if you’re not their documentation is extensive. Plus there are tons of other tools that make working with react native easy and seamless (like Create React Native App). Last but not least, because it’s just JavaScript most people already know how to work with it which saves you from having to teach new employees how to use yet another framework or language.