React JS and React Native are related technologies, both developed and maintained by Facebook, but they serve different purposes and target different platforms. Here’s a comparison of the two:
React JS is primarily used for building web applications, while React Native is designed to build native mobile apps for platforms like iOS and Android. They share many concepts, such as the component-based architecture and using JavaScript with optional JSX syntax. However, React Native uses native UI components instead of HTML and CSS, and the code executes as native code on the device, offering better performance compared to hybrid or web-based mobile apps.
| Feature | React JS | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A JavaScript library for building user interfaces. | A framework for building native mobile apps using React. |
| Purpose | Creating reusable UI components for web applications. | Creating native mobile apps for iOS, Android, and other platforms. |
| Platform | Web | Mobile (iOS, Android, etc.) |
| Language | JavaScript with optional JSX syntax. | JavaScript with optional JSX syntax, along with platform-specific native components. |
| UI Components | HTML and CSS. | Native UI components for each platform (no HTML or CSS). |
| Performance | Runs in a web browser. | Executes as native code on the device for better performance. |
| Code Sharing | Limited to web applications. | Can share some code between different platforms (iOS, Android) and, to some extent, with web applications. |
| Community | Large and well-established. | Growing and increasingly popular. |
| Learning Curve | Relatively easy to learn for web developers. | Requires knowledge of React, plus native development concepts and components. |
Depending on your project requirements, you would choose either React JS for web applications or React Native for native mobile apps.