Do you know Java and JavaScript and want to become a part of the vast mobile app development industry? When it comes to building an app from scratch, we all think it’s a complicated thing to do. But, we need to focus on programming languages and frameworks that ease the process.
For example, for Android apps, you need to learn Java or Kotlin, and for iOS, you will have to get used to Swift or Objective C.
But is there any way to make these things more straightforward?
The good news is that there is a framework that gives us the advantage of creating native-like apps. That means you write and assemble one code that works on all devices. Many of you already know what we are talking about.
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A Brief History of Native-Like Mobile App Development
In 2011, the company we know as Meta, then Facebook, launched ReactJS to optimize the app and ads features. Turns out other developers can use it to resolve similar issues and offer completely navigational apps for a great user experience.
As then-Facebook bought and acquired other services, especially Instagram, the need for native-like development was more prominent than ever. That’s how React Native was born.
While ReactJS is a JavaScript library, React Native is a complete framework that allows developers to build great apps that work on Android and iOS and sometimes for tablets and desktops. The secret is writing and deploying one code on the needed operating system or device type.
Being a React Native Developer: Is That a Good Career Path?
Plenty of people use mobile phones to browse on the internet. We have plenty of apps on our phones, and all of them work just fine, according to their purpose and capabilities.
It seems like smartphones are already an integral part of our lives. That’s a great sign of thinking about becoming a React Native developer soon. If you already know Java and JavaScript, you can easily grasp the basics of ReactJS and React Native and become a great developer.
If you check the IT companies, you can see they are looking to hire a React Native developer as part of their teams. Many are focused on mobile solutions, and this framework saves time, money, effort, and labor when used correctly.
There aren’t many solutions that allow native-like app development, so learning React Native is the first step you need to take if you want to work on app solutions for every operating system.
Beneficial Features of React Native
Whether you are looking from the user, developer, or business perspective, this framework comes with plenty of beneficial features.
For users, it’s the ability to use lightweight yet completely functional apps. At the same time, developers work on one code for all platforms. Business owners don’t need to hire two developers since one great React Native developer can work on the particular project.
Do you need more? Let’s see other great features:
Code That Works on Every Platform
When you use React Native to build an app, it quickly detects and recognizes the operating system it runs on. This way, it regenerates the code, providing a native-like experience for the user.
You Can Use Modals for Better Experience
The react native modal component allows you to present content above the enclosing view. This is an excellent way to optimize the user experience by choosing some of the available options for the component, including sliding and fading.
Easy Concept to Understand
As we said previously, if you know Java and JavaScript, you can easily move to ReactJS and React Native. Surely, there are some specific things to learn, like how to debug react native code, how to execute it, check if it works properly, and report potential errors.
In general, it won’t take a lot until you learn how to use the pre-ready code pieces and assemble them together.
It’s Great, but not Perfect
We can’t expect perfection from React Native. It seems like it covers many issues, but we must be aware of the limitations. Remember that developers use this framework for simple to mid-complex app solutions.
But sometimes, some applications require a native approach. Big companies often need complex applications or enterprise-level solutions. In these cases, native development is recommended because React Native simply can’t handle all of it.
Still, it’s great for people’s everyday apps, like digital wallets, interactive restaurant menus, currency converters, cloud-based apps, or public transport travel planning.
IMG Source: Medium
Popular Apps Built With React Native
We said a lot of things related to React Native, but at the end of this article, we want to highlight some of the apps you probably use daily. We can say that almost every smartphone user faces at least one app built with React Native every day, like:
1. Your Facebook App
Obviously, React Native is Meta’s product. So, it would be surprising if they don’t use the framework to provide iOS and Android solutions for every app they own. And yes, this includes Instagram too.
2. The New and Redesigned Skype
In 2017, Skype was utterly redesigned. Now it works great on PC and mobile, thanks to React Native adoption. If you use it regularly, you probably can see the difference between the pre-2017 app and today’s Skype.
3. Every Time you Book an Airbnb Accommodation
We all know Airbnb is a flexible and convenient app with many features. But, most of the app components were already used in other solutions. React Native allowed the developers to find the best fits and put them together, creating one of the most popular booking services globally.
4. Bloomberg’s Daily Updates
Bloomberg is a finance and stock app, which means data is updated now and then. We can even say that things are changing every minute, so it’s expected that React Native has a significant role here.
5. Coinbase, the Pro Version
Coinbase Pro is available for iOS and Android. It’s an app for all crypto traders, featuring so many tools, converters, and information.
Final Thoughts
Even though React Native comes with some limitations, it’s still one of the most convenient solutions for native-like app development. And we are sure it’s also a great career path to embrace, especially if you are already familiar with Java and JavaScript.
