React JS and React Native are both developed by Facebook and share some similarities, but they are different technologies designed for different purposes. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between React JS and React Native.
Purpose
React JS is a JavaScript library used for building user interfaces for web applications. It is designed to be used on the client-side and is typically used for building single-page applications and large-scale web applications.
React Native, on the other hand, is a framework for building mobile applications using JavaScript and React. It allows developers to build high-performance, native mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms using familiar tools and techniques.
Architecture
React JS and React Native both use a component-based architecture. This means that applications are built using smaller, reusable components that can be combined to create complex user interfaces. However, the implementation of this architecture is different for React JS and React Native.
In React JS, components are rendered using the browser’s Document Object Model (DOM), which is a representation of the HTML structure of a web page.
In React Native, components are rendered using native components, which are built using platform-specific APIs. This allows React Native applications to have a native look and feel and perform better than web-based applications.
Language and Tooling
React JS is built using JavaScript and can be used with a wide range of front-end tools and frameworks, such as Redux, Webpack, and Babel. React JS is typically used with HTML and CSS for styling.
React Native is also built using JavaScript, but it is designed to be used with native mobile development tools and frameworks, such as Xcode and Android Studio. React Native also includes a set of platform-specific components, such as
Development Workflow
The development workflow for React JS and React Native is also different. React JS applications are typically developed using a web browser and a development server, such as Webpack Dev Server or Create React App. Changes to the code are automatically reloaded in the browser, making it easy to see changes in real-time.
React Native applications are developed using platform-specific development tools, such as Xcode and Android Studio. Changes to the code are hot-reloaded in the application, allowing developers to see changes in real-time on a mobile device or emulator.
In conclusion, React JS and React Native are different technologies designed for different purposes. React JS is used for building web applications, while React Native is used for building mobile applications. While they share some similarities, such as a component-based architecture, they have different implementations, languages, tooling, and development workflows. It’s important to understand the differences between React JS and React Native before deciding which technology to use for your project.