React Native for Non-Engineers: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted in react-native-for-non-engineers on May 16, 2023 by Hemanta Sapkota ‐ 4 min read

React Native is a powerful platform for building mobile applications that work on both iOS and Android devices. It is a framework that enables developers to write applications using a single codebase that can be deployed on both platforms, instead of having to build two separate apps from scratch. This approach can save a lot of time and effort for organizations that want to build mobile applications but don't have the resources to build them from scratch.

How React Native Differs from Native Mobile Technologies #

Native mobile technologies require developers to build separate codebases for iOS and Android. This can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for smaller organizations that don’t have the resources to build two separate apps. React Native, on the other hand, allows developers to write code once and deploy it on both platforms. This can save organizations a lot of time and money, while still delivering a high-quality mobile experience.

How Different Members of a Cross-Functional Team Can Utilize React Native #

Engineers #

React Native is a valuable tool for engineers because it allows them to write code once and deploy it on both iOS and Android platforms. This can save a lot of time and effort, especially for organizations that don’t have the resources to build two separate apps from scratch. Additionally, React Native apps can be built with JavaScript or TypeScript, which many engineers are already familiar with.

Product Managers #

Product managers can use React Native to build mobile applications quickly and efficiently. They can work with developers to create a single codebase that can be deployed on both platforms, which can save a lot of time and money. Additionally, React Native allows for rapid iteration, which can be valuable when testing new features or ideas.

Quality Assurance #

Quality assurance teams can use React Native to test mobile applications quickly and efficiently. Because the codebase is shared across both platforms, QA teams only need to test one codebase, instead of testing two separate apps. This can save a lot of time and effort, while still ensuring that the application works as intended on both iOS and Android devices.

User Experience Designers #

User experience designers can use React Native to quickly build and test prototypes. Because React Native allows for rapid iteration, designers can quickly test new designs and ideas, and make changes as needed. Additionally, React Native allows designers to see their designs in action on both iOS and Android devices, which can be valuable when designing for multiple platforms.

Challenges for Teams Utilizing React Native #

While React Native can be a powerful tool for building mobile applications, it is not without its challenges. Because it is a relatively new technology, there is a smaller pool of developers who are familiar with it. Additionally, there may be performance issues with more complex applications, especially on Android devices. Finally, because React Native is built on top of JavaScript, it may not be the best choice for applications that require a lot of native functionality.

Programming Languages in a Typical React Native Project #

React Native apps can be built with two programming languages: JavaScript and TypeScript. JavaScript is the most commonly used language for React Native applications. It is a popular language that many developers are already familiar with, and it is well-suited for building user interfaces.

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing, which can help catch errors before they occur. While TypeScript can be a more powerful tool than JavaScript, it can also add additional complexity to the development process. As a result, it may not be the best choice for smaller or less complex applications.

In addition to JavaScript and TypeScript, React Native also supports the use of native modules written in Java or Swift / Objective-C. These modules can be used to add additional functionality to React Native applications, such as accessing device-specific features like the camera or GPS.

Conclusion #

In conclusion, React Native is a powerful tool for building mobile applications that work on both iOS and Android devices. It allows developers to write code once and deploy it on both platforms, which can save a lot of time and effort. Additionally, it can be a valuable tool for product managers, quality assurance teams, and user experience designers. While there are challenges associated with utilizing React Native, the benefits can outweigh the risks for organizations looking to build mobile applications quickly and efficiently.