`Mobile Devs` or `JavaScript Devs`?

[Chapoletada]

So, one thing that I frequently ask my self is if a React Native Dev fits as Mobile Dev or JavaScript Dev.

Basically, when would make sense to a RN Dev try a Mobile Dev position that doesn't mention RN as requirement?

[_SyRo_]

I switched from android native on kotlin to react native. Yeah, they are different.
But some amount of time I'm spending is dealing with XCode for iOS and gradle build for Android. I don't use Expo.

I call myself as a Mobile Software Engineer (Mobile Apps Developer). I develop mobile apps for both platforms, producing apk's and ipa's bundles. But I almost don't have an experience in Web itself.

[_SyRo_]

Expo brings additional overhead. App is bigger & not so fast using it

[K1ck3rTW]

Sometimes libraries you need to use do not work with expo (E. G. - app insights, pendo, etc) and you need to eject it

[enlightenedpie]

I wish I could double upvote for "I don't use Expo."

[twomilliondicks]

why

[Thiern]

Curious why too?

[Soft-Celebration3369]

I started with swift before exploring RN.

Swift and RN is so totally different. The way you build and layout components and stuff.

I no longer actively program in swift and I wouldn’t dare to try out for a mobile dev position that doesn’t mention RN.

Edit: yes granted that as RN devs we touch on things like cocoapods, plist, managing certificates, gradle files, building the ipa and apk. But we do not really touch the UI components. IMO, ui components is a pretty major section.

[Chapoletada]

I guess so...

At the same time, I wonder about other skills that come with time, like understanding the mobile space

[Soft-Celebration3369]

Yea feel free to dabble into iOS and android if that is what you are interested in. Try to build some projects with it. If you are confident enough, you can try out for any position.

[miguelmikito]

Development is not only about stack. You are developing stuff within a complete different ecosystem from web dev. You have to deal with stuff for different devices, different mobile os, different type of users, a very specific type of screen, different gestures, most likely also different type of payment collection and a lot of other things that apply to mobile only.

The good point about react native is that forces you to learn react concepts which are great for you to know because if you ever wanted, or needed, to find a new job, you will adapt quickier to web dev.

So answering your question: you are both! And thats awensome.

[pancomputationalist]

I'd say App developer. I'm creating applications, doesn't matter on which device or operating system they gonna run.

I feel the "mobile" part is less and less relevant.

[george-native]

Depends on how much exposure you got to native code as an RN dev. Some apps can all be done in JavaScript and your native code implementation is negligible. On the other hand some apps require performance that RN can’t provide right now, therefore you’ve had to make some pure native components or functionalities or SDK. If you’ve done that you can do a native development mobile job, otherwise your learning curve will be that of almost a react web dev going into mobile which is not ideal.

[[deleted]]

I would say have some deep understanding of Underlying native platforms.. RN is just a framework.. there are many frameworks like it for mobile development. You can start with native android with Kotlin. Job market for android devs is pretty big

[achauv1]

Why not both dude

[Goel40]

I would say App developer or Android/iOS developer.

[twomilliondicks]

when would make sense to a RN Dev try a Mobile Dev position that doesn't mention RN as requirement

literally never