Facebook released its very own Facebook React Native – a native mobile app development framework that uses React and Javascript last March 2015.

React Native’s main goal, according to Facebook, is to enhance developer efficiency while also providing the best user experience that a native app provides. The framework uses native components like Drawer for Android and UITabBar for iOS.

About Native and Web Apps

In the world of mobile app development, you will often hear the following words: web apps, native apps, and hybrid apps.

Native apps are applications that are installed inside your mobile phone and can be downloaded through a specific application store like the App Store and Google Play. These apps can utilize your camera, GPS, compass, gestures, and all other features of your device.

Web apps, on the other hand, are applications built using web technologies. Web apps are websites that may appear and function like a native application, but need to be constantly connected to the Internet. The performance and efficiency of a web app can depend on the speed of your internet connection. These apps are mostly written in HTML5.

All mobile platforms have the ability to run and display web pages. So why is there a need to create complicated native apps when developers can simply create a web page and make it look like an application? In reality, this is not always the case. Web apps are prone to glitches. Users frequently report several performance issues and also notice that web apps drain the device battery too quickly. This is the primary reason why some app developers choose to develop native apps over web apps.

However, the downside of native application development is the compatibility, as native applications are specifically made for a certain platform. The development process to cover various platforms can be costly and the timeframe can be longer compared to the development phase of web applications.

The Impact of React Native on Mobile App Development

React Native aims to resolve the above issues by combining the two development methods. This framework offers the same, high-quality user interface that is usually seen in native applications without making the developer write a single line of native code.

While still fairly new, Facebook React Native has the potential to affect the whole industry of mobile app development. Javascript is an easy to learn programming language that runs on all platforms. Releasing an open-source native mobile app development framework that uses this language opens a lot of opportunities for both experienced and budding developers alike.

Need to create Mobile Application for Your Business?

If you or someone you know needs to create a mobile, web, or cloud application for a business, you may contact the best Houston software development company, Webcreek Technology. Whether you are in need of a native, web, or hybrid app, rest assured that Webcreek Technology has the right tools and skills to provide you with the best IT service you deserve.