Creating your mobile application in React Native

Instagram, Bloomberg, UberEats, Facebook, Walmart, Skype or indeed Tesla: many companies have chosen to use React Native to develop their mobile applications. The framework, created by Facebook, has seen a meteoric rise since its release in 2015. Why choose this technology to launch your mobile application?

In the past, to develop a mobile application, it was necessary to develop one application for iOS and another for Android, using technologies specific to each OS: Swift or Objective C for iOS, Java or Kotlin for Android. 

React Native aims to simplify mobile development by offering developers a framework that allows them to produce mobile applications for iOS and Android whilst having a single codebase, written in JavaScript. In essence, the developer uses React Native components that call the phone's native functions.

The framework allows for a reduction in the development time of your applications. A single codebase allows for the production of an application for both iOS and Android simultaneously. It is therefore no longer necessary to develop the same functionality twice. This single codebase also allows for a certain consistency between the two OS, and facilitates the maintenance and evolution of the application.

Some might say that React Native sacrifices performance for development speed. Quite the opposite, React Native offers a native experience to users, both in terms of performance and UX. Indeed, the framework directly calls libraries that are developed natively. To put it simply, when the developer uses a React Native component, the framework calls native APIs. For example, lists will retain their native appearance on iOS and Android.

React Native has allowed us to develop complex features across various applications. On Jock, a gay social network, we implemented a feature that allows tracking a user's location even when they are not using the app. It is also possible to make video and audio calls with up to 15 people. Furthermore, the application handles a significant volume of data without any performance issues, notably thanks to React Native components optimised for large data volumes, such as FlatList for example. Another example, on the application Codedelaroute.io, the Redux library allowed us to make the application accessible offline by storing all of the application's data in the phone's cache. Finally, on the application LeaderSanté, it is possible to scan prescriptions using the phone's camera.

Real-time messaging, position tracking, news feed, push notifications, live streaming, geolocation: React Native has allowed us to quickly implement complex features, without sacrificing the overall performance of our applications. Users will not notice the difference between an application developed natively and an application developed in React Native. 

React Native has enjoyed undisputed popularity: in 2019 the project recorded over 2 000 contributions on Github. Initially used for Instagram, Facebook's backing contributed to the rise of this technology. And interest in the framework is not waning. The dynamism of the React Native community is strengthening. Updates are carried out regularly. Furthermore, the numerous contributors develop and maintain very useful libraries like Redux or Expo which allow for an increase in the speed of development and deployment of your applications.

Over 70% of developers are proficient in JavaScript, according to a study Stack Overflow ! The pool of candidates to build your teams is therefore much wider. This ease is not negligible in a sector where recruiting talent is complicated given the scarcity of developers. Finally, the modularity of the code allows a developer to simply pick up and continue with the developed code.

React Native is, in our opinion, the best option for launching a mobile application as it allows for rapid development of complex and high-performing applications compatible with Android and iOS. Optimising development time is crucial in the launch of a mobile product as it allows for rapid interaction with users and thus maximise their feedback to refine the application.