Hubert
4 min
July 22, 2024

React JS vs. React Native

Understanding the differences between React JS and React Native is critical to making a practical technology choice. React JS is a library for building dynamic web applications, while React Native allows you to build native mobile applications for iOS and Android. Choosing the right tool depends on the target platform and the project's specific requirements.

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React JS vs. React Native

React Native versus React JS

React JS is a JavaScript library designed to build user interfaces in web applications and enable the creation of dynamic web pages. On the other hand, react Native is a JavaScript framework for building native mobile apps for iOS and Android. It not only allows you to build native mobile apps but also offers performance similar to native apps, giving you confidence in its capabilities.

Differences between React Native and React JS

The choice between React JS and React Native depends on the project’s specific requirements. If the goal is to build a web application, React JS is the right choice. For mobile applications that need to run natively on different platforms, React Native will be the best option. Both tools, although distinct, can complement each other to create practical and versatile solutions.

Purpose:

React JS: Used to build user interfaces for web applications, making it ideal for dynamic websites.
React Native: Enables the development of native mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms, providing high performance and a native user experience.

Components:

React JS: Uses web components based on HTML and CSS, making building interactive and responsive web applications accessible.
React Native: Leverages native mobile platform components such as <View>, <Text>, and <Image>, enabling the creation of applications with a native look and feel.

Rendering:

React JS uses a virtual DOM (VDOM) that renders to the actual browser DOM, optimizing web application performance.
React Native: UI renders directly to the platform’s native UI, delivering better performance and a native feel in mobile apps.

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Target Platform:

React JS: Creates web applications that run in the browser, making it ideal for front-end development of websites and web applications.
React Native: Builds mobile applications that run on Android and iOS devices, allowing you to develop a single code set for both mobile platforms.

Debugging tools:

React JS: Debugging is more accessible using browser tools that provide advanced diagnostic options, such as Chrome DevTools.
React Native: Debugging can be more complicated due to integration with the mobile platform’s native code, but tools such as Reactotron or Flipper make the process easier.

In summary, React JS is ideal for developing dynamic web applications. It offers a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries that facilitate the rapid development and management of complex user interfaces. React Native enables the development of powerful native mobile applications for iOS and Android while maintaining a native experience and performance. 

Understanding the differences between these technologies allows you to make an informed choice of the right tool, resulting in more efficient project development. The two technologies can work in harmony, increasing the possibilities for creating modern and versatile applications. A well-chosen tool will speed up the development process and improve the quality of the final product, whether for web or mobile applications.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

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