React native is actually good now



AI Summary

Summary of Video: React Native’s Evolution

  1. Introduction to React Native
    • Historically chosen for saving time/cost vs. native platforms.
    • Perceived as inferior performance.
  2. Recent Improvements
    • Valid choice now for developer experience, performance, and cost.
    • Author developed a new app using React Native, leveraging prior React experience.
  3. Developer Experience Enhancements
    • Tools like Expo streamline integration.
    • No need for native platform tools (e.g., Xcode).
    • Configuration handled through app.json file.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Technical Strategies
    • Development of lazy scroll view component for optimized rendering.
    • All screens rewritten as lists to minimize unnecessary rendering.
  7. Simplified Build Process
    • Previous struggles with CI/CD setups resolved through Expo Application Services.
    • Streamlined command for building and submitting to the App Store.
  8. Conclusion
    • React Native offers an improved developer experience, solid performance, and enhanced build tools.
    • Recommended for mobile app development.