DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REACT JS AND REACT NATIVE

React JS is simple and easy to operate. Once you get hold of React JS development and are familiar with its basics, you will not have to spend a lot of time studying it. Comprehending the basic requirements of React JS takes hardly any time and can be done within a few hours. What’s more? If you have a background in JavaScript, using React JS will be a piece of cake. Let’s go through a few more reasons why people prefer to use React JS:
 

1. THE CREATION OF COMPLEX WEB APPLICATIONS IS EASY

Using HTML to come up with dynamic applications is a complicated task since it requires complex coding. However, with React JS, coding can function without any inconvenience.

2. COMPONENTS ARE REUSABLE

React JS has a variety of components with different controls and logic. You can easily reuse these components wherever they are required. Development and maintenance of your applications are much simpler because of this.

3. ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

The virtual DOM comes with numerous advantages which enhance performance. Whatever React components you have written will turn into this virtual DOM and not in the physical DOM. This way, the performance will be relatively faster.

4. AVAILABILITY OF SEO-FRIENDLY TOOLS

Developers have access to multiple React JS tools at their disposal. You can work with certain React components, examine as well as edit them with precision and ease. While conservative JavaScript frameworks have a hard time dealing with SEO, React JS offers support to work effectively among search engines. This is available because of the virtual DOM that renders and returns to the browser as a normal webpage.

With React JS, frameworks tend to change and develop regularly. The developing pace of React JS is a bit too fast which makes it hard for developers to keep track of the constant updates. This has also proven to be a bit of an inconvenience for many. Here are a few more drawbacks of React JS:

1. SATISFACTORY DOCUMENTATION

Due to the fast pace of the updates on React JS, there is no scope for accurate documentation. Developers have to keep up with the updates and write instructions themselves.

2. ABSENCE OF COMPLETE TOOLING SETS

React JS only focuses on the user interface layers of the applications that are being developed. Developers have to make use of other frameworks in order to get access to other tooling sets.

3. COMPLICATED NAVIGATION OF DATA

In React JS, it is hard to navigate between data. React JS does not support parallel data handling and you need to locate the parent node to navigate the next hierarchy of a tree node.

You may also like: How to Use React with React Bootstrap?

AN OVERVIEW OF REACT NATIVE

React Native, which came after React JS, is an open-source JavaScript framework. Developers use React Native to develop mobile and web applications, suited for iOS, Android as well as Windows. It focuses on developing cross-platform mobile applications using JavaScript only. React Native and React JS are quite similar in this manner but React Native makes use of native components as its building blocks. Moreover, React Native is best suited for mobiles rather than the web.

The applications developed on React Native work well with Android as well as iOS systems. React Native offers cross-platform accessibility and that’s the best part. Let’s go through a few more reasons why people prefer to use React Native:
 

1. LIVE RELOADING

An interesting feature of React Native is the availability of live reloading. Any changes that you make in the code of the applications will be altered during the process of development. Any changes in the logic are recorded on the screen and you can witness these changes almost immediately.

2. STRONG PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY

React Native strongly caters to the needs of developers working on mobile applications. It provides a framework for enhanced performance with the use of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

3. BUDGET-FRIENDLY AND SAVES COSTS

Similar to React JS, React Native also has the feature of reusing code components. Reusing will mean that it will save a great amount of time and money required to develop an application from scratch.

4. COMMUNITY-DRIVEN

React Native was developed through a developers’ community hackathon. This means that the framework is constantly developed and supported by the community. The presence of a team helps with binding expertise from diverse minds into the framework.

React Native is still in the developing phase which is why many refer to it as immature regardless of the perks it offers. Although React Native is constantly improving, there is a possibility of performance hindrance for your application. Here are a few more drawbacks of using React Native:

1. DIFFICULT TO LEARN

If you are new to the field as an app developer, React Native could be a harder framework to learn.

2. LACK OF STURDY SECURITY

React Native is seen as a not-so-secure framework if you are trying to develop applications related to finance, banking, or wherever there is personal data.

3. TAKES LONGER TO INITIALIZE

Initializing runtime for advanced devices takes a longer time with React Native which is an inconvenience for many.

4. HAS ISSUES WITH LICENSING AND PATENTS

Since React Native is controlled by Facebook, there are persistent issues with licenses and patents. Facebook has the right to stop developers if it does not approve of the application, or in case of any violations.

Also Read: A Beginner’s guide to getting started with React

Now that you have a clear idea of both the frameworks, let’s proceed with differentiating between the two on the following parameters:

1. BASE DERIVATIVE

React JS can be primarily considered as a base derivative of the React DOM. React Native, on the other hand, can be considered as a base derivative in itself. This indicates that while the components are altered, the syntax and workflow do not change.

2. THE PURPOSE OF EACH

React JS originally is a JavaScript library that aids developers in programming user interface layers with enhanced performance and dynamo. React Native, on the other hand, is a complete framework in itself that is useful to build cross-platform applications for mobile as well as the web.

3. RENDERING OF THE BROWSER CODE AND DEVELOPMENTS

To render the browser code, React JS makes use of the virtual DOM feature. What’s more? In React JS, the developed applications render the HTML code in the user interface. React Native uses native APIs to render components in a mobile application. In React Native, the rendering of the UI takes place with the help of the JSX, which is an abbreviation to JavaScript.

4. STYLING & ANIMATIONS

React JS uses CSS for creating styling for coding components and animation in React JS is created using CSS similar to web development. React Native makes use of a stylesheet for styling. In React Native, you need to make use of an animated API to incorporate animation in various components of the application.

5. SUITABILITY

In order to develop a web application of enhanced performance, responsiveness, and dynamic functionality, the best choice for you is React JS. Whereas, if you want to create a mobile application with high performance, then React Native should be your top preference.

React JS and React Native are a necessity for app developers. Their functioning systems are constantly evolving and their flexibility is well-liked by several developers. In one way or the other, both React JS and React Native are optimal for certain types of applications. While React JS is more of a JavaScript library, React Native is an entire framework in itself. This makes React JS the origin point and the heart of Native. This way, both seem to be complementing each other.

Both frameworks have their strengths and limitations. In an environment where technology is developing at a consistent pace, you will be bombarded with improvements and updates which could be a hassle sometimes. Nevertheless, you cannot expect everything to work perfectly. All you need is an adequate amount of skill and knowledge and you are good to go. The bottom line is, deciding between React JS and React Native should be child’s play once you determine the kind of application that you want to develop.