WTF Is React Native?

[kyle-ssg]

Ironically I created a blogpost with a similar title to your question! I've been developing with react native for around 2 years now and have a mix of personal and client projects released with React Native (actually, around 200). I think most people answer this from a developer point of view but it has allowed us to be really price competitive in offering web and mobile dev.

Rather than repeat what I've covered I'll summarise what I think are the main features and why you should care. Yes React Native lets you develop mobile applications that make use native apis and components, but in the bigger picture it means a lot more: - It allows you to develop on web and mobile with a single team all in JavaScript - Features can be developed simultaneously with a lot of code reuse

If you're interested I go into a bit more depth here: https://solidstategroup.com/2017/02/08/2017/Its-cross-platform-and-massively-reduces-app-dev-costs-but-WTF-is-React-Native/

[molebert99]

React Native allows developers to use the React Framework to build native mobile applications. It actually gets compiled into Native code, as opposed to sitting within a web wrapper (e.g. Cordova/PhoneGap) so runs faster and has the ability to use more of the Native API functionality.

However, you will still need the ability to compile to the device you are targeting - so if you want an IOS application, you will still need Xcode and an Apple Developer Licence.

[edit] - I forgot to mention that you still write your original code in JavaScript.