Mobile application developers rely on frameworks such as React Native to create native Android and iOS interfaces. React Native is one of the best frameworks for hybrid app development, quickly becoming a favored development process. This particular framework is a JavaScript library owned by Facebook, otherwise referred to as Meta.
You may not realize it, but several popular mobile apps were created from a React Native framework. These include Walmart, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Airbnb, Uber Eats, Wix, and Tinder.
React Native also has retail, education, travel, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and logistics applications. This cross-platform framework is continually valuable for Android and iOS mobile app development.
React Native is used by several companies to provide a brand-new mobile application and improve existing applications. The same developers that create websites can also use React Native to create a partner mobile app, allowing a company to spend less on two different yet related needs, often by partnering with a single provider.
There are many benefits to implementing React Native frameworks for mobile application development, such as the following:
- Native code rendering
- Code reuse
- Efficient bug identification
- Integration with Node Packet Manager (NPM)
- Ability to reload page instantly to see updates/changes
These characteristics make React Native popular, even though it’s still evolving and some features aren’t supported yet.
As a cost-effective, intuitive, and fast solution for mobile app creation, React Native development also has a large community upon which developers can draw to tackle real-world challenges they may face in mobile app development procedures and processes.
React Native vs. React Framework: A Quick Comparison
React
- JavaScript library for web development
- Renders HTML elements in browsers
- Uses CSS for styling
- Ideal for creating dynamic web user interfaces
React Native
- Framework for mobile app development
- Renders native user interface components for iOS and Android
- It uses its styling system, similar to CSS
- Build a native mobile app using JavaScript
Key Differences:
- Platform: Web (React) vs. Mobile (React Native)
- Components: Web-based (React) vs. Native UI (React Native)
- Rendering: Browser DOM (React) vs. Native APIs (React Native)
While both use JavaScript and share core principles, they serve different purposes in the development ecosystem. React focuses on web applications, while React Native targets mobile app creation, allowing developers to build native apps using their web development skills.
Read more: {Java vs. Javascript blog link}
React Native: From Web to Mobile
React Native emerged from Facebook’s mobile strategy shift. After initial struggles with HTML5-based mobile web apps, Facebook sought a more efficient solution. In 2013, engineer Jordan Walke discovered a way to generate iOS UI elements using JavaScript. This breakthrough led to React Native’s development.
Originally iOS-focused, React Native quickly expanded to support Android. Facebook open-sourced the framework in 2015, sparking widespread adoption. By 2018, it became one of GitHub’s most popular projects, demonstrating its impact on cross-platform mobile development.
React Native revolutionized app creation by allowing developers to use their web skills to build a native mobile app that bridges the gap between web and mobile development.
How Do I Learn React Native
Similar frameworks to React Native include PhoneGap, Ionic, Flutter, NativeScript, Sencha Touch 2, Mobile Angular UI, and Vue.js Mobile Hybrid. While they may accomplish similar tasks, specific characteristics set React Native apart.
For example, here are some of the standard fundamentals of React Native:
- Component: function component and class component
- JSX: coding syntax
- Properties: ability to customize components
- State: personal data storage
Components can be further broken down into the following:
- View supports layout, including touch and accessibility
- Text works with strings of text to display them, along with styles
- Image displays images
- Scrollview contains many components and views
- Textinput provides the ability to enter text
As you can see, though React Native is considered one of the more intuitive frameworks to work with, many complex concepts still require a certain level of skill. These skills can undoubtedly stand out on a resume, especially when it comes to applied experience in React Native that demonstrates your proficiency.
Online resources for learning React Native include this React Native Tutorial for Beginners by Toptal and an Ultimate Tutorial by Simplilearn. Meta also provides a tutorial, but you can also check out the “Learn React Native” course by Codecademy. This Medium post with 10 additional resources can be a great way to build a foundation in React Native, too.
At the same time, putting down that you’ve learned about React Native online for free and demonstrating your advanced experience with a degree from an accredited university could mean the difference between getting passed over and receiving an interview request. Choose your learning resources wisely.
Outlook For React Native
Due to the increasing popularity of mobile apps across industries and continents, many new programming languages are popping up to meet the needs of this booming industry.
This requires software developers and mobile application developers to learn multiple programming languages and gain experience in several frameworks like React Native.
Here are some of the positions you can apply for with a degree and experience in React Native:
- Full Stack Developer
- Mobile App Developer
- Web Developer
- Software Developer
- Web Administrator
- Web Designer
- Frontend Developer
- Webmaster
- Database Administrator
- Web Programmer
- Web Application Developer
- Backend Developer
- Web Interface Designer
- Web Publisher
- UX/UI Designer/Developer
The job outlook for mobile app developers well-versed in React Native and related frameworks continues to improve. Smartphone users number nearly 4 billion worldwide, and app downloads continue to be a lucrative revenue source for both Google Play and the App Store.
Think about it: we use apps for budgeting and working out to social media, investing, and meal planning.
The average salary for a React Native developer is roughly $62 per hour, or $120K annually. Typical job duties include:
- Working in a team environment
- Creating, building, and maintaining apps
- Ensuring a smooth user experience
- Working within native modules
- Communicating effectively with clients
- Contributing as a part of the larger community of mobile app frameworks
Coding experience is critical, along with a collaborative approach and the dedication to work through issues as they arise.
How to Land a Position in React Native
The California Institute of Arts & Technology (CIAT) provides several classes, certifications, and degree paths for students interested in React Native. For example, an Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development offers a concentration in Mobile App Development to provide you with the tools necessary to design, structure, and program mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Points of instruction include programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, iOS and Android platforms. Students will create a coding portfolio as they learn.
CIAT also provides personalized career support and hands-on learning to supplement classroom instruction. With this specialized training, you’ll be ready to create and publish your own mobile applications.
Developing a mobile app from scratch, or even building on the foundation of an existing app, is the prime function of a mobile app developer who implements React Native to get the job done right.
Experience in software development can help candidates stand out from the crowd, along with certifications and degrees earned from CIAT. If you’d like to learn more about how you can be successful in mobile app development, contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable advisors.
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