Introduction to React Native

Welcome to the world of React Native! This presentation will guide you
through the fundamentals of this powerful framework, enabling you to build
native mobile applications using JavaScript. Whether you're a seasoned web
developer or just starting, React Native offers a compelling way to create
cross-platform apps for both iOS and Android.

Developed by Facebook, React Native is used by industry giants like

Instagram, Facebook, and Shopify. With over 500,000 apps built and a
thriving community, it's a robust and versatile choice for mobile development.
What is React Native?
React Native isn't about "write once, run anywhere." Instead, it's about "learn
once, write anywhere." This means leveraging your existing JavaScript
knowledge to create truly native mobile experiences.

React Native apps use native UI components like buttons and tab bars,
ensuring a familiar look and feel for users. The JavaScript code runs in a
separate thread via JavaScriptCore, and a bridge facilitates communication
between the JavaScript and native code. This architecture allows for optimal
performance and a seamless user experience.

Native UI
Uses native UI components for a familiar look and feel

JavaScriptCore
JavaScript code runs in a separate thread via JavaScriptCore
Key Benefits of React Native
React Native offers several compelling advantages for mobile app
development. One of the most significant is code reusability. With React
Native, you can share 70-90% of your code between iOS and Android
platforms, saving time and resources.

Hot reloading enables instant UI updates, significantly accelerating the

development process. A large and active community ensures extensive
libraries and support are readily available. This translates to cost-effective
development with reduced time and resources, along with near-native
performance thanks to optimized components.

Code Reusability Faster Large Community

Development

Cost-Effective
React Native vs. Native Development
When choosing a mobile development approach, it's essential to compare React Native with native development (Swift for iOS and
Kotlin for Android). React Native utilizes JavaScript/TypeScript, whereas native development relies on Swift or Kotlin.

React Native generally offers faster development speeds due to hot reloading and code reuse. However, native development provides
native performance. React Native has an easier learning curve for web developers, while native development can be steeper for
newcomers. Both approaches have mature communities, although native communities are platform-specific.

Feature React Native Native (Swift/Kotlin)

Codebase JavaScript/TypeScript Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)

Development Speed Faster (hot reloading, code reuse) Slower

Performance Near-native Native

Learning Curve Easier for web developers Steeper for new developers

Community Large and active Mature, but platform-specific

Core Components and APIs
React Native provides a rich set of core components and APIs to build user
interfaces and access device features. Basic UI elements include View, Text,
Image, TextInput, and ScrollView. The StyleSheet API is used for styling
components.

Native Modules allow access to native device features such as the camera
and GPS. Third-party libraries provide additional functionality for navigation,
UI toolkits, and state management. Both React Native CLI and Expo CLI can
be used for project setup. The Animation API, including Animated and
LayoutAnimation, enables creating engaging user experiences.

Basic UI Elements
View
Text
Image

Native Modules
Camera

GPS
How React Native Works
React Native works by compiling JavaScript code into native views during runtime. A bridge facilitates communication between
JavaScript components and native modules, enabling seamless integration with device features.

The framework optimizes performance by batching updates, ensuring smooth UI rendering at 60 FPS. React Native also supports
integration with native modules for advanced functionality, allowing developers to leverage platform-specific capabilities when needed.
This architecture provides a balance between code reusability and native performance.

JavaScript to Native
1 JavaScript compiles to native views

Bridge Communication
2 Connects JS and native components

Performance Optimization
3 Batches updates for smooth rendering
Setting Up Your Development Environment
Before you can start building React Native apps, you'll need to set up your development environment. First, install Node.js and npm or
yarn, which are essential for managing JavaScript packages. Next, choose a CLI: React Native CLI or Expo CLI.

Expo CLI offers a managed workflow that's easier for beginners, while React Native CLI provides a bare workflow with more control
over native code. Finally, install Xcode (for iOS development) or Android Studio (for Android development) to build and run your apps
on emulators or physical devices.

Expo CLI React Native CLI

Managed workflow Bare workflow
Easier for beginners More control
Your First React Native App (using Expo)
Let's walk through creating your first React Native app using Expo. Start by installing the Expo CLI globally:

npm install -g expo-cli

Then, initialize a new project:

expo init AwesomeProject

Choose a template, such as "blank."

Navigate to your project directory:

cd AwesomeProject

and start the Expo development server:

expo start

. Finally, scan the QR code with the Expo Go app on your phone to see your app in action. Congratulations, you've created your first
React Native app!

Install Expo CLI

1
npm install -g expo-cli

Initialize Project
2
expo init AwesomeProject

Start the App

3
expo start
Resources for Learning React
Native
To continue your React Native journey, there are plenty of resources available.
The official React Native documentation is a great starting point. The Expo
documentation offers comprehensive guides for using Expo-specific features.
The React Native Directory is a curated list of libraries and tools.

Online courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and freeCodeCamp can

provide structured learning paths. Community forums like Stack Overflow and
Reddit (r/reactnative) are excellent places to ask questions and connect with
other developers.

Documentation Online Courses Community

Forums
Conclusion: Embrace Cross-Platform Development
React Native empowers developers to build high-quality mobile apps with JavaScript. By leveraging your existing JavaScript skills, you
can create native experiences for both iOS and Android platforms. The vibrant React Native community offers support and resources to
help you along the way.

Now is the time to embrace cross-platform development and start building your awesome mobile app today! With its code reusability,
faster development, and near-native performance, React Native is a compelling choice for modern mobile development.

Leverage
2

Build 1

3
Join