Learning about React JS and React Native is an excellent place to start if your goal is to create applications in your own time or find a job as a developer. Given that React has a more manageable learning curve than other frameworks, more developers and site owners are already adopting web technologies and frameworks based on it. Also, you have the chance to explore the world of native programming and put your newly gained knowledge into action. Therefore, after you've grasped the fundamentals of React, you can dive into React Native and begin developing a powerful mobile application. This article will assist you in better understanding the underlying ideas of the framework's key components as well as its potential.
In the modern day, the world depends on mobile and web applications, as everything has transitioned into the digital space, from booking cabs to ordering food to conducting bank transactions. A variety of mobile and web development frameworks exist to make the transition smoother.
Effective frameworks that offer a seamless user experience are to be commended, and React is one such capable frontend library.
Among the highest in-demand skills in mobile and web development right now is the ability to build cross-platform applications in React, as startups have a high demand for React developers.
This article will focus on these terms: React, ReactJS, and React Native.
What is ReactJS?
ReactJS, or React, is a JavaScript library that is used to create application user interfaces. React is declarative and component-based - it is a collection of individual components that developers can use as building blocks to assemble the front end of an application — This is what users see on their devices and interact with.
In the model-view-controller (MVC) software development pattern, React can be seen as the V layer. The View is in charge of displaying the user interface, while the controller is in charge of receiving user input and forwarding it to the model.
Here are a few reasons for using React in programming:
- increased efficiency,
- The one-way flow of data
- A modest learning curve
- Reusable elements
- And it can be applied to the creation of both web and mobile applications (React Native).
React Native
React Native is a JavaScript framework for cross-platform development and natively rendered applications, and it draws inspiration from Facebook's React library.
React Native and React are both tools for creating user interface elements, but React Native has a distinct advantage over React for mobile development - That is, it renders user interfaces not only on the browser but also on other platforms. React Native can be used to build apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, in addition to web-based apps.
Any platform that supports React Native can be targeted by a developer with experience in React. Although React knowledge is not necessary to learn React Native, it helps and makes development with React Native familiar and easier. Despite being used to create applications for various platforms, React and React Native have very similar syntax, in the sense that they share the same programming language, JavaScript and TypeScript is also an option.
Resources to further explore React
After learning the fundamentals of React, you can explore more complex concepts like context, component patterns, portals, and component testing. Likewise, you can experiment with various third-party libraries, such as Redux, Material UI, or Axios. Since you will be working with packages frequently, get to know the NPM or Yarn package installers.
The fundamental components of creating apps with React Native include JSX, components, lifecycle methods, hooks, and state management, and the best resources for learning React can be found on YouTube and Udemy.
As a React Native developer, you will work on the above-said concepts daily, so it is recommended that you get familiar with React before React Native, although it is not mandatory.
Is learning React difficult?
As long as you are familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding, learning the fundamentals of React should be easy. You don't need to be a skilled programmer to start working with React, although it has its distinct ecosystem and development methodologies.
A general understanding of web development best practices will come in handy. Another thing to keep in mind is that as your web development practice grows, so will your ability to grasp React. And having prior knowledge of another framework, such as Angular, gives you an edge, as you'll be more familiar with how frameworks interact with JavaScript.
Where does React come into play in the real world?
Instagram users have access to a digital experience on mobile and the web, thanks in large part to React. The app has excellent UI and UX in terms of look and feel. You can currently enjoy fantastic UI and UX thanks to React Native. When it comes to frequently using social media, Whatsapp has officially approved ReactJS for designing and building user interfaces from Facebook.
And here at Fetchly, we make use of React and React Native to build amazing web and mobile applications that are customized and offer the best possible user experience. It also has the right feel and appearance for each respective platform. Many multinational enterprises and startups also highly utilize React as a component of their front-end stack for internal tools and customer- and business-facing applications.
Final Thoughts
React and React Native are both JavaScript frameworks that are used to build applications for the web and mobile respectively. Some knowledge of fundamental web technologies like HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript will help on the journey to becoming a professional React and React Native developer.
Courses on React and React Native are all over Youtube and also more beginner-friendly material can be found on services like Udemy. It is important not to get stuck in "tutorial hell" and build projects to practice and enhance your skills - simple projects like Todo apps, calculators, tic tac toe, and portfolio apps. Building projects makes you comfortable with the syntax and confident in your ability to build applications.
Bugs are inevitable but the great thing is most of the bugs you might encounter already have solutions and can be found on platforms like GitHub, StackOverflow, and many other developer forums.
*This is not the official Fetchly opinion but the opinion of the writer who is employed by Fetchly*