Class 41: React Native - mwilkin-401-advanced-javascript/bend-javascript-401d2 GitHub Wiki

React Native is an open-source framework for building native apps using React (JavaScript) for rendering mobile applications for i0S and Android devices.

• The underlying principles of React Native are essentially identical to React except that React Native does not manipulate the DOM via the Virtual DOM.

Importantly, the React Native framework helps cater both the platforms at one go and eliminates the need to select either iOS or Android development for mobile developers because they are compiled into natively written code.

• This enables it to not only work on both the operating systems but also ensures identical functionality on both the platforms without lags.

• Additionally, it enables the incorporation of native platform capabilities, such as gestures, sensors, etc. which allow for many possibilities for feature creation and user interaction and feedback.

React Native builds a hierarchy of UI components to build the JavaScript code.

• It has a set of components for both iOS and Android platforms to build a mobile application with native look and feel and because it is UI focused, the apps load quickly and gives a smoother feel and is comparatively simple, quick and efficient.

• Components can be easily reused and are easy to maintain.

React Native does not use HTML, rather, messages from the JavaScript thread are used to manipulate native views.

• Styling occurs within the component.

It is still a developing framework, so it does have glitches and areas in need of technical advancement but because of its many advantages seems to be a very promising and powerful tool for developing and maintaining code for mobile platforms.