React keeps on booming!

What is React?

React is a Javascript library for building user interfaces that was developed by Meta. Meta needed a specific tool to build and maintain their services. React's popularity has only grown in recent years. In 2013, Meta turned React into an open-source project, which became the centerpiece of the Javascript libraries for developers thanks to the hard work of the maintainers. Today, many important companies are actively using it, such as Netflix, Pinterest and Reddit, among others. At Pàu we are guided by Davy Engone, trainer and founder of Duolingo, to keep our skills up to date.

The philosophy behind React

The React team defines the philosophy as "Learn Once and Use Anywhere". That means that once you master the principles of React, you can use them to build web, mobile and desktop applications. For less technical people, it is important to know that this principle is particularly powerful in software development.

What is React Native?

In software development, there are two platforms that are relevant:

The Web platform, where websites run
The Mobile platform, where mobile apps run

Look at Apple. Their investment in iOS (Mobile) versus Safari (Web) is telling. They really want the Mobile platform to beat the Web platform.

On mobile, Native technologies are used to build apps:

Swift, Objective-C, SwiftUI and Cocoapods for iOS
Java and Kotlin for Android

These technologies are labeled as Native technologies because they allow developers to build apps for these platforms without the need for a translator.

However, React is made for the web, so it is not Native to the Mobile ecosystem (iOS or Android). React Native brings the React principles of UI development to the Mobile ecosystem. This means that a React developer can develop applications for the Mobile platform with less effort. A game-changer in 2015.

Today, there are more technologies that offer such capabilities: NativeScript, Flutter, and Xamarin.

Takeaways

React (Web) and React Native (Mobile) are 2 products from Meta. They created these products to allow their teams to work seamlessly on their Web platform and their mobile applications. That opened up the opportunity for web developers to become mobile developers as well.

However, each platform has its own specificities. That's why you can't just offer a React developer a React Native role. With interest and passion for mobile, the step is quickly taken to React Native.

Are you interested in a React, React Native role at Pàu, do not hesitate to contact us!

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