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React Native

Build native iOS and Android apps using React's component model.

CurrentintermediateGuide only -- no course yet
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Overview

React Native uses React's component and state model to build apps that compile to genuinely native iOS/Android UI components (not a webview) -- letting React developers apply existing knowledge to mobile, and letting teams share logic between web and mobile.

What it is
A framework for building native mobile apps using React's component model, rendering to native platform UI.
Why it's used
For teams with existing React expertise, or wanting to share code/logic between web and mobile.
Where it fits
After React fundamentals -- React Native reuses React's concepts (components, state, props) with mobile-specific components.

Core concepts

  • Native components (View, Text, instead of div/span)
  • Navigation libraries
  • Platform-specific code
  • The bridge between JS and native code

Example

View and Text replace HTML's div and span/p -- the component model is identical to React, but it renders to real native UI elements, not a browser DOM.

function Greeting() {
  return (
    <View>
      <Text>Hello, mobile!</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

Common use cases

  • Cross-platform mobile apps sharing one codebase
  • Apps needing near-native performance without two separate native codebases

Project ideas

  • A simple two-screen app with navigation between a list and a detail view

Official references