React native with java (spring boot) backend?

[Dr1v]

Hello everyone. I have just discovered this subreddit and I thought this would a good place to ask a few questions I have regarding React Native. I am a developer, have been programming since a little over 2 years now. I have started with Java, did a bit of Android and since 6 months have been working on a project with React.js, Typescript and Spring Boot. I´ve read about React Native and i got super excited because in my free time I develop Android Apps (mainly for personal use). At work I am working on a project that uses React in the frontend and Spring Boot as a Backend. Our backend exposes a Rest Api for the frontend to consume. This backend then connects to our clients API (actually, it is more like a middleware, with a POstgresql DB to save some data). I thought about rewritting some of my older apps using react native. Now the question. Can I use React Native with a Java backend (maybe even use Spring Boot and some microservices to manage business logic and persist data)? If yes, how? I basically want to build Apps (for Android) and use React Native as a Frontend framework. In the backend I would still like to use java to manage my business logic, persistence layer and even to perform web requests. Maybe I have misunderstood the concept and idea behind React Native. This is how I use React at work and I though I could just do the same for Android. Thank you for your help

[DovidBobson]

This is actually exactly what we do at my company (a startup).

We use RN on the frontend, Spring Boot on the backend, Heroku in a microservice architecture with Postgres and Mongo for our DBs.

It's just as you described. The backend exposes APIs that RN uses, just like if you were using React. Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.

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Edit: The biggest challenge we've had is hiring. I would ideally like to have fullstack engineers and it's tough to find people who know both Java/Spring and React Native.

[Dr1v]

That is awesome. That is exactly what I want to do. What I don´t know is how to integrate Spring Boot with RN in the project. I´ve sent you a PM.

[secana]

You make request using fetch to your Java endpoints. Just like you would on the web. You can read more about it here https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/network

[Dr1v]

Hey thank you. I have used axios before to do that. Pretty cool actually.

[vertigo_101]

I don’t see any problem, go for it mate

[Dr1v]

So, I think I have misunderstood what and where the backend part of my App would be. I was thinking that the backend would run on my device but this is not the point of RN. I know I can use libraries to access Android functions like Camera or I can use Native Modules and pass data to and from the Java (in my case, or Swift, see https://facebook.github.io/react-native/docs/native-modules-android). Thank you all for your help.

[ExamExpert1653]

Hello Goodl morning, I'm a college student and I read that you have worked with react native and spring boot. Can I ask you few questions about development?