Benefits and downsides of ReactJS and React Native

A graphical user interface (GUI) is a critical component in any platform because through it, a user regulates software or hardware applications. React is a JavaScript library used to develop GUIs. The program was launched in 2011 by Jordan Walke, who is a Facebook Software engineer. The inventor wanted to apply the high speed of JavaScript with multiple methods to create platforms that are responsive to various user inputs. The project is mainly open-source, and it’s been in use since 2013. Different companies, like Netflix and Dropbox, use it.The popularity of ReactJS is soaring as many platform owners want dynamic sites that transform data while reloading pages. Some website owners, however, have not embraced the program because they don’t understand its perks. This blog, therefore, explores the various pros and cons of using ReactJS and React Native.Perks of React JSReactJS has multiple benefits for the users. These include:Component reapplicationThe two JavaScript libraries enable the reuse of codes that are already in existence. You don’t require to create another code if you’re using ReactJS and React Native. The two frameworks enable you to use components that allow you to subdivide the interface into standalone pieces that are applied independently.There are a variety of components that ReactJS use.These include Charity, Halogen, and Material-UI. Whereas Charity is an individualized chart component, Halogen is a mixture of personalized loading spinner animations. On the other hand, Material-UI is a combination of elements that fix Google’s material Design.Virtual DOMDOM stands for Document Object Model. It’s an application program that’s equivalent to the XML document. It’s tree-shaped with multiple nodes that represent each document. The model is lax and ineffective because it processes various kinds of complex data like recalculation of CSS, the layout’s recreation, and repainting the whole web page. The use of React JS overcomes the challenges of DOM by using an application known as Virtual DOM. In terms of structure, Virtual DOM resembles DOM. React JS updates virtual DOM fast whenever there is a change.Thriving communityReact JS is an open-source library and has numerous followers and users all over the world. GitHub, for instance, has given it over 130,000 stars. Many developers, globally, keep proposing new features to the library and fix all kinds of bugs.Because React JS is a project by a tech giant, Facebook, it enjoys multiple resources of the company, and its future looks promising. Currently, the library’s popularity is more than ever.Saving of timeReact CJ not only saves time, but it’s efficient. It would be a waste of time if developers kept using different codes each time they worked on their projects. In programming, things are complicated when you intend to make changes in particular aspects of your system.However, these difficulties are offset by the use of React JS. React JS’s entire components are isolated, meaning that change in a specific part doesn’t impact others. This state of affairs makes the use of elements a concise and rosy procedure for the programmers.One-Direction Data flow offers a stable code.React JS permits one-direction information flow, which stabilizes the code. Furthermore, the library uses downward binding that ensures that changes in a child don’t impact a parent. On the other hand, the other JS models may have changes reflected on parents when introducing the same changes to the child.The use of one direction data flow in React JS ensures that the parents are not affected when an object is modified or updated. The changes only happen to areas earmarked.Downsides of React JSDespite its multiple perks, React JS has a fair share of its disadvantages as follows:High speed of developmentTechnology develops at crazy speeds. This means that developers must keep changing their style to accommodate the new changes. Some developers may not be comfortable with the ever-changing IT environment.Substandard DocumentationNew tools are released regularly. Different libraries promise to apply these devices to enhance the function of React JS. The downside of the movie is that many developers find it hard to use these new tools. This means that community members do not apply the latest tools, which results in poor documentation. Most developers write their own sets of documentations and choose the tools to use in particular projects.The Use of JSX is complex.Many developers find the use of JSX in React JS a complicated affair. JSX is a language that enables the combination of HTML with JavaScript. Although the use of syntax has its benefits, many developers complain that it’s too complicated.Need to add Search Engine Optimization (SEO) workAlthough some people have raised concerns that search engines might not index dynamic website pages, the claim has not been proven. Google has clarified the matter by stating that its crawlers can index dynamic content. You should remove any doubt by testing your dynamic pages to ensure that the search engines can index them. Many developers may find this procedure for additional work.Perks of Reactive NativeCurrently, Reactive Native is one of the modern environments for the development of mobile phone apps. The library has various perks, as explained below:React Native applies JavaScript.One of the popular programming languages used by many developers is JavaScript. React Native uses the language which many find easy working with, meaning that it’s simple to find a developer to work on your project. Additionally, most engineers find JavasScript easy to work on and simple to update.Native Controls and modules in Reactive Native enhance performance.Because Reactive Native offers specific codes with native APIs, it improves the overall performance. The performance of React Native is further enhanced through the use of modules written in Objective-C and Java-out-of-the-box.Reactive Native has all the components of React JS.Because Reactive Native use React JS library features, it enjoys all the advantages of the library. This means that even if developers don’t understand the Native language, they can still work on it provided that they’re good at JavaScript and understand React syntax.Downsides of React NativeThe following are some of the disadvantages of React Native:Documentation – Just like React JS, one of the problems of React Native is poor documentation when you want to apply the many tools.Third-Party components – Although the library has multiple modules, its third-party components are minimal.Instability – React Native is associated with multiple problems, including reloading failures, emulator issues, and navigation issues.ConclusionReact JS aims to create large frameworks that handle data that keeps on changing. The library has multiple tools that assist in creating scalable, simple, and faster applications. Although Facebook created react JS, other firms are adopting it too. This blog has explored some benefits and downsides of React JS.This post was orginally published on: April 14, 2020 and was updated on: January 19, 2021.