React native is actually good now
AI Summary
Summary of Video: React Native’s Evolution
- Introduction to React Native
- Historically chosen for saving time/cost vs. native platforms.
- Perceived as inferior performance.
- Recent Improvements
- Valid choice now for developer experience, performance, and cost.
- Author developed a new app using React Native, leveraging prior React experience.
- Developer Experience Enhancements
- Tools like Expo streamline integration.
- No need for native platform tools (e.g., Xcode).
- Configuration handled through
app.json
file.- Performance Gains
- Major architectural improvements in communication between JS and native layers:
- Old method involved serialization/deserialization, causing slow performance.
- New architecture eliminates the async bridge for synchronous, direct calls.
- Case Study: Shopify
- Transitioned to React Native for efficiency:
- Key reasons: time-saving, talent portability, and improved user value.
- Achieved performance goals with sub-500 ms load times.
- Technical Strategies
- Development of lazy scroll view component for optimized rendering.
- All screens rewritten as lists to minimize unnecessary rendering.
- Simplified Build Process
- Previous struggles with CI/CD setups resolved through Expo Application Services.
- Streamlined command for building and submitting to the App Store.
- Conclusion
- React Native offers an improved developer experience, solid performance, and enhanced build tools.
- Recommended for mobile app development.