React Native or ReactJS – Which Should You Learn First?

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Programmers and Developers often face the challenge of having to choose which to learn and use between competing and/or similar programming languages, frameworks, libraries etc. One of the most recent questions developers have had to answer is about the growing concern about ReactJS and React-Native; which should be learnt first? It should be noted however that although these sub-libraries travel in different directions, programmers who wish to learn both often have to choose where to start. This article discusses both parties and sheds light on the issue of choice.

React is a set of Javascript libraries built by Facebook that serve to build single page web applications and complete native applications (mobile). Currently, there are two most popular libraries in React; ReactJS – which is used in the design of front-ends of web applications, and React-Native, used for design and implementation of cross-platform native applications (i.e applications that can run efficiently on different operating systems such as Android and IOS). A developer who is conversant with both libraries should be able to design static websites, dynamic web applications and cross-platform mobile applications seamlessly.

What is the cause of this debate?

As much as ReactJS and React Native perform different whole tasks, the primary advice has always been to learn ReactJs and then React-Native. But it has been observed that some programmers learn and practice React-Native to near perfection without having to learn ReactJS first. Another issue has also been the fact that learning ReactJS and React-Native simultaneously may be time consuming for someone who wants to design a mobile application alone without having to learn how to design a web app. For instance, if a developer is only interested in a mobile application, why should he learn to design a web application first? this question goes the other-way round also. The cause of the debate lies mostly in necessity and interest, and slightly about principle.

There have been theories in support of learning ReactJS first, one of such theories assert that learning ReactJS sets the foundation for learning React Native. This truth of this assertion is challenged because the same basic principles that apply to learning React Native also apply to learning ReactJS. An example is the life-cycle of components; which involves learning about what happens when you create a component, initiate it, implement it and then destroy it. Learning ReactJS first as a beginner basically allows you to learn about component life cycles. However, someone with some intermediate knowledge of JavaScript would have already learnt about components and this reduces the need to learn ReactJS first.

It is also noted that the syllabus one must learn in ReactJS is similar to the syllabus of React Native, only that in this case, the programmer knowledge of React is tailored to the mobile platform alon. Thus, learning React-Native is primarily viewed as learning ReactJS for mobile applications. You must not pass through both of them to build a cross-platform mobile application.

Which should you learn first?

Knowing that ReactJS and React-Native basically carry out the same processes but for different platforms, a beginner or any developer willing to explore the world of React only needs to set his priorities right. If you are interested in building mobile applications first, then learn React Native; the fact that it is cross-platform (write once, run anywhere) gives you the advantage of running your application on more than one mobile platform. Also, the structure of the code you write would only be different from that of ReactJS in terms of keywords used. For instance, div which is used in ReactJS to create a section in a web page is simply replaced with view in React – Native, which does the same thing (acting as container, creating a section) but on a different platform (mobile). The same advice is applied to one interested in building web applications first.

Another issue a developer must consider is the necessity at the moment; if you have to build a mobile application as soon as possible, do not spend time learning much about ReactJS, dive straight into React-Native, it would help you learn ReactJS from a mobile perspective. When you are done learning about React-Native, building web applications with ReactJS would come off much easier because the requirements for the setup and installation are simpler and cheaper to acquire, the code is of similar structure and your host is the web, which is less complicated too. A developer who learns React-Native first, may have basically beat through the syllabus of ReactJS.

It should be noted however, that if a developer has time on his hand and really wants to learn explicitly about the React libraries, learning ReactJS first is the best option. This is because React Native often has many issues sorted out for you, such as a customized layout-engine that allows you to run your applications on different platforms, as well as an in-built styling system. You do not have to learn so much about the core elements of the mobile application because they have been customized and laid-out for you. ReactJS on the other hand, contains the libraries that make up the core components of both web and mobile applications. Thus, learning ReactJS first gives you all the primary principles of React – which is better than learning about React from a sidelined perspective. A developer who learns ReactJS first, would glide through React-Native easily because s/he already knows the core principles of programming with React.

Conclusion

There is no need for a debate on which to learn first between ReactJS and React-Native. If you really want to learn about React to the point of mastery and flexibility on all sides, learn ReactJS first. If you really need to design a mobile application quickly and do not have time on your side, learn React-Native – only remember that ReactJS is at the heart of everything you learn in React-Native.

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