ReactJS vs React Native is a known tussle between the two powerful technologies in the app development industry. Facebook has developed both technologies. Many in the application development community are still confused between the two technologies. Both of them are open-source JavaScript libraries. But, ReactJS is a web framework, and React Native is a mobile framework. It shows the fundamental difference between the two technologies. When we dig deep into both technology we come across many other differences.
Let’s look into the technologies thoroughly and understand the differences in the following sections.
React Native
React Native is an open-source library for the JavaScript framework used for mobile application development for iOS and Android. The framework uses ReactJS, but instead of targeting the web, it targets mobile phones. The cross-platform mobile apps are built using JavaScript. Hence, from the convenience of JavaScript, app developers can develop apps that will look truly Native. These applications are written using a mixture of JavaScript and XML-Esque markup. It can generate platform-specific code. When a developer uses React Native, the framework identifies the platform and generates the code accordingly. It promotes application development in less time and smooth code-sharing among Android and iOS without affecting the end-user experience.
React Native Advantages
The most prominent React-Native advantage is; it translates your markup to Native UI elements to go parallel with your working platform. It maintains high application performance without compromising its capability by using a separate UI thread.
1. Ideal Enterprise Mobility Solution
Many community members are constantly working to improve the framework as it’s free and open source. The technology has all the components that developers need to incorporate in mobile applications.
2. Substantial Support From The Community
React Native is favored and a preferred technology in the community. The developers constantly root for its usability in mobile application development. The large community also updates developers with the latest trends and helps in resolving the issues.
3. Cross-Platform App Development
The framework works as cross-platform. Hence, developers need not change the code for Android or iOS. The same can work for both platforms without compromising user experience.
4. Uses JavaScript As A Scripting Language
JavaScript is an easy-to-learn language. The advanced JavaScript V8 Engine helps the developers. They don’t have to work on compiling the code on the browser. It is the most preferably used scripting language. Hence, the community support resolves the issues of the developers.
React Native Disadvantages
React Native was developed in the year 2015 and hence, is very young at present. Due to this, the limitation that comes with running a new technology applies here as well.
1. Loosely Held Abstraction Layer
The framework has loosely held stylesheets like CSS and tags like HTML along with JavaScript code. It increases the chances of clashes of the logic situation.
2. Patenting And Licensing Issues
It requires much time to resolve the licensing and patenting issues in React Native, as Facebook owns it. Although there is version 2 available with patent rights it Facebook can still stop the developer from working on the platform if it doesn’t like the method.
3. Compatibility Issues
React Native is in beta version. Hence, the developers still face debugging and compatibility issues.
ReactJS
ReactJS is an open-source JavaScript library used for developing UI for a web application. It promotes the creation of reusable UI components. ReactJS abstracts DOM from developers and offers a simpler programming model. ReactJS can power Native apps by using React Native. It is responsible for the view layer of web applications. ReactJS allows developers to create a complex user interface using the isolated codes called components. It has two parts first is the component and HTML code for your UI, and the second is the HTML document where all the components will be rendered. It was developed by Facebook in 2011 and has gained popularity since then.
ReactJS Advantages
ReactJS promotes an easier app development process without compromising the quality of UI. In the community, it is considered user-friendly and helps developers to create highly compelling websites and applications.
1. Reusable Components Promote Faster Development
It provides reusable components that developers are using to create new applications. The developers are authorized to reuse the components build for other applications. Hence, reduces the time taken for development. ReactJS lessens the need for frequent debugging due to its component-based architecture.
2. Virtual DOM Promotes Higher App Performance
ReactJS uses Virtual DOM which is a JavaScript object. The developers can use JavaScript to write HTML. ReactJs renders this HTML virtually using the tree reconciliation process. It promotes faster web application running as the whole DOM needs not to be updated time and again.
3. Stable Code That Has Unidirectional Flow
The one-way data binding feature of ReactJs promotes stable code. The changes made in newer components do not affect the parent component. Hence, changes in smaller parts require updating in just the data model and not the entire state.
ReactJS Disadvantages
There are a few disadvantages associated with ReactJs despite all the advantages. The technologies are evolving rapidly, and it is difficult to pace up with the rapidness. Developers find it difficult to upskill themselves in less time due to the quickly evolving technology.
1. Poor Documentation
As ReactJs is an open-source framework, anyone can create support documents. These resources can be helpful sometimes or poorly developed. Also, because of quick evolution, the documentation is slow for the latest trends and updates.
2. JSX Syntax
JSX syntax is easier to use but some developers find it complex to learn. Hence, consider JSX syntax as an obstacle to mastering ReactJs.
3. Library Support
ReactJs supports many third-party libraries but the Native libraries are limited. This increases the difficulty of the learning curve of ReactJS.
Conclusion
ReactJS vs React Native, the debate is hard to resolve as both the technologies are important pillars of web and app development. While ReactJS is fundamentally just a JavaScript library, React Native is the whole framework. ReactJs promotes high functionality apps and Reactive Native gives Native look to the mobile applications. Both the technologies have their pros and cons. Hence, choose a technology according to your expected result.
FAQs
Should I start with ReactJS or React Native? The principles you need in React Native are all based on ReactJS. Hence, it is advisable to start with ReactJS.
Which is better React Native or ReactJS? Both the technologies have their defined utility. While ReactJS develops high-performing, interactive UI for the web, React Native makes it Native for the mobile application.
How long will it take to learn React Native and ReactJS? It takes around six months to learn ReactJS. Learning ReactJS reduces the learning time of React Native.
Can we use ReactJS in React Native? ReactJS is the heart of React Native. It contains all the syntax and principles of React. Hence, you can use ReactJS in React Native.
