2023-02-06

React Native vs React: What's the Difference?

Webstep

Take a closer look at what distinguishes React Native from React; it may open the door to a smoother work experience.

Are you wondering what the fuss is about React Native and how it differs from React? You're in the right place! In this post, we'll explore the key differences between the two technologies and help you make an informed decision for your next project.

A brief introduction to React and React Native

Before we dive into the differences, let's define what React and React Native are. React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, while React Native is an open-source framework for building native mobile apps using React.

In short, React is focused on the web, while React Native is focused on mobile. But, there's more to it than that. Let's explore the differences in more detail.

1. Platform Target

The first and most obvious difference between React and React Native is the platform they target. React is used for web development, while React Native is used for mobile app development. This means that React Native has a different set of components and APIs that are optimized for mobile app development, while React is focused on the web.

2. User Interface

The second key difference is the user interface. React uses the DOM (Document Object Model) to render components on the web, while React Native uses native components to render components on mobile. This means that React Native apps look and feel like native apps, with smooth animations and interactions, while React apps have a more web-like feel.

Code Reusability (why React Native makes your life easier)

One of the biggest advantages of React Native is its ability to reuse code between iOS and Android. This can save significant time and effort in app development, as you only need to write code once and it will run on both platforms. On the other hand, React apps need to be written twice, once for each platform.

Example of React Native Code

Here's a simple example of how React Native code looks:

import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { View, Text } from 'react-native';

class MyApp extends Component {
  render() {
    return (
      <View>
        <Text>Hello, React Native!</Text>
      </View>
    );
  }
}

export default MyApp;

As you can see, the code looks very similar to React code, with the exception of the native components like View and Text being imported from 'react-native' instead of 'react'.

Performance – React Native is smoooooth

In terms of performance, React Native stacks up well against native apps. React Native uses a JavaScript bridge to render components on the native side, which can result in smoother and more responsive animations and interactions.

Additionally, React Native uses a virtual DOM to update the UI efficiently, which can lead to faster updates, particularly for complex and data-rich apps.

5. Development Experience

Finally, the development experience between React and React Native is slightly different. React Native has a smaller ecosystem and community compared to React, which means that there are fewer resources and tools available. However, React Native is still a relatively new technology and is rapidly growing, so this gap is likely to close over time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, React Native is a great option for mobile app development that offers the benefits of React, with the added advantage of being optimized for mobile. Its ability to reuse code between iOS and Android, its smooth and responsive animations, and its growing community make it a solid choice for your next project.

Interested in learning more about React? Check out the official react Native documentation https://facebook.github.io/react-native/.

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