React JS and React Native are both popular frameworks developed by Facebook for building user interfaces. While they share some similarities, they are designed for different purposes and have distinct characteristics. In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between them.

React JS, often known as React or React.js, is a JavaScript library that is used to create online applications. It focuses on creating reusable UI components that can efficiently update and render when the underlying data changes. It follows a declarative programming model, allowing developers to describe how the UI should look at any given time, and React takes care of efficiently updating and rendering the components.

On the other hand, React Native is a framework for building mobile applications. It allows developers to write mobile apps using JavaScript and React concepts and then compile the code to native components specific to the target platform. This implies that React Native enables you to create mobile apps that can operate on iOS and Android platforms without needing separate code bases.

Here are some key differences between the both:

The fundamental difference between React JS and React Native lies in their purpose and target platforms. React JS is a JavaScript package used to create browser-based web applications. It is primarily focused on creating user interfaces for websites and web applications. On the other hand, React Native is a framework used for building cross-platform mobile applications. It allows developers to use React components to create native mobile UIs for iOS and Android platforms.

Both share the concept of components. In React JS, components are used to define the structure and behaviour of user interfaces for web applications. These components are rendered to the DOM (Document Object Model) to display the UI. In contrast, React Native components are used to define the structure and behaviour of native mobile UI elements. They are translated into native UI components, which means the end result is a truly native app that can take full advantage of the device’s capabilities.

Another significant difference is how they interact with the user interface. React JS renders components into the DOM, which is a virtual representation of the web page. When a user interacts with a React JS web application, changes are made to the virtual DOM, and React efficiently updates the actual DOM to reflect those changes.

In contrast, React Native interacts directly with native components the mobile operating system provides. It doesn’t use the DOM; instead, it uses native APIs to manipulate the UI elements. This allows React Native apps to have better performance and a smoother user experience than web applications built with React JS.

Styling in React JS typically uses CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). React JS components can be styled using inline styles or CSS-in-JS libraries. While it offers flexibility, managing techniques across an extensive React JS application can become complex.

React Native, on the other hand, uses a different approach for styling. It doesn’t use CSS but instead relies on a simplified styling system. React Native components have style props that accept JavaScript objects for styling. The properties of these objects are similar to CSS properties, but there are some differences due to the nature of native mobile components.

One of the major advantages of React Native over React JS is access to native device functionalities. Since React Native builds native mobile apps, developers can leverage all the capabilities of the underlying platform. This includes accessing the camera, GPS, accelerometer, push notifications, and other native functionalities.

In contrast, React JS is confined to the capabilities of web browsers. While web APIs have improved significantly over the years, they might not match the full range of features available on native platforms.

Setting up the development environment for both differs due to the platforms they target. React JS development typically requires a web browser and a code editor, and developers can use various build tools like Webpack and Babel to transpile and bundle the code.

React Native development, on the other hand, requires additional setup and platform-specific tools. To develop React Native apps for iOS, a macOS machine with Xcode is required. For Android, Android Studio is needed. This platform-specific setup can be a challenge for developers starting with React Native.

React JS and React Native, despite sharing a similar name, are different in terms and offer robust solutions. Consider your project’s needs, target audience, and desired platform to make an informed decision. Embrace the power of React JS to create immersive web experiences, or harness the capabilities of React Native to build stunning native mobile apps. Understanding these differences is crucial for developers to choose the right tool for their specific project requirements. Get started today and unlock the potential of these cutting-edge technologies to bring your ideas to life!