Transition to React Native • Hacker News Board

Re: Transition to React Native

#151

Post by frakkingcylons » Sat, May 15, 2021, 4:55 PM UTC

EvilEy3 wrote: post #74

SatvikBeri wrote: post #27

I'm skeptical of most "we switched from X to Y" posts, but the thought process here seems pretty solid. * They had a much harder time hiring mobile developers than web developers, and per-person productivity was also lower * They prototyped an app before committing to a new technology * Similarly, they tested a change to the existing app before switching * They specifically invested time to cross-train people, and te…

> They had a much harder time hiring mobile developers than web developers, and per-person productivity was also lower That's what happens when you pay peanuts.

Coinbase does not pay peanuts, look at the compensation:

https://www.levels.fyi/comp.html?track=Software%20Engineer&s...

It's definitely competitive pay.

Re: Transition to React Native

#152

Post by nwienert » Sat, May 15, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

ryndshn wrote: post #60

raspasov wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

RN used to have a lot of issues years ago (~2015-2016 or so) with different layout rendering between iOS and Android. Since they re-wrote their layout engine to be the same codebase across Android and iOS this has been 99% fixed in my experience. You might very occasionally run into a difference of some sort but it will most likely be minor. Of course, I would say if you've never done a RN project before and you plan…

none of the issues i described are different now. RN on iOS still uses JavaScriptCore by default, Android uses Hermes, and it still uses V8 if debugging, meaning it's possible you'll have some super weird edge case bugs. in Airbnb's situation i believe they said it was almost impossible to pinpoint the issue due to the differences in these engines. it's unlikely, but still an unavoidable thing that could be a serious…

Hermes runs on iOS now and besides missing Intl, I’ve not had any problems with it and flipper let’s you debug hermes.

Re: Transition to React Native

#153

Post by abacadaba » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:00 PM UTC

jfisk87 wrote: post #56

Long story short, terrible idea unless you're in a position like coinbase. The article is from a high level engineering standpoint about productivity and trying to be efficient. The thing the article doesn't mention is the best react native developer also is an expert in native mobile development. It is crazy hard finding these people. All techno fluff aside, any component mobile developer knows once you have a solid…

Web developers, no prior mobile experience, we launched a RN app just fine with minimal outside assistance. It did take some problem solving / trial and error at times dealing with, e.g. cocoapods issues though, yes.

Re: Transition to React Native

#154

Post by alexandr1us » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:02 PM UTC

I want to write small review regarding replies on this link. I am working as an mobile engineer for more than 8 years now. I have worked on native iOS, Android, Xamarin, Unity, Titanium, Flutter and React Native. Long story short I have never been happier since I switched to React Native and Expo made everything so much better. I am not comparing it to native but I can compare it to Flutter.

First of all Flutter has major performance problems on iOS. Using native views (MapBox, ArcGIS) inside Flutter app has subpar performance. Flutter has weird styling compared to anything I have ever worked with. Styling in Flutter is very unintuitive (ex: Global theme for button width). You can’t OTA update Flutter code. Weird scroll behaviour. I can go on and on but personally I would never use Flutter ever

Most comments under the link:

React Native bad because Flutter good.

React Native bad because native good.

React Native bad because Y is good.

Re: Transition to React Native

#155

Post by jessepollak » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:06 PM UTC

Hi all - I support all Retail engineering at Coinbase and was one of the folks who helped shepherd this change through from inception to rollout.

I'm happy to answer any questions that folks have - just thread here, and I'll either answer or pull in our team to give more detail.

Re: Transition to React Native

#156

Post by k__ » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:07 PM UTC

halfmatthalfcat wrote: post #149

swyx wrote: post #146

Does anyone know if Flutter was in the consideration set? It's gaining some momentum as a slightly more stable crossplatform ecosystem to React Native. but of course, there is the prospect of Google and Dart.

To be honest, it's only gaining momentum because of the PR behind it. I've yet to see or hear of a major hybrid app getting shipped in Flutter.

I know a few freelancers that specialized in Flutter the last year.

But I wasn't convinced either.

Re: Transition to React Native

#157

Post by jessepollak » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:08 PM UTC

swyx wrote: post #146

Does anyone know if Flutter was in the consideration set? It's gaining some momentum as a slightly more stable crossplatform ecosystem to React Native. but of course, there is the prospect of Google and Dart.

We did consider Flutter, but (1) we already had a very strong javascript talent base that we wanted to leverage; (2) at the time when we made the decision, Flutter was still relatively early in its lifecycle.

That said, we've spent a lot of time talking with teams using Flutter and we think it's awesome!

Re: Transition to React Native

#158

Post by jessepollak » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:10 PM UTC

SatvikBeri wrote: post #27

I'm skeptical of most "we switched from X to Y" posts, but the thought process here seems pretty solid. * They had a much harder time hiring mobile developers than web developers, and per-person productivity was also lower * They prototyped an app before committing to a new technology * Similarly, they tested a change to the existing app before switching * They specifically invested time to cross-train people, and te…

This is an excellent summary of our approach - thanks for writing it up :)

Re: Transition to React Native

#159

Post by k__ » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:10 PM UTC

Softcadbury wrote: post #26

I'm never touching mobile development and especially React Native again! I'm a web developer and a few years ago, I had the opportunity to develop a mobile app. What a nightmare... Among the new versions of React Native or Gradle breaking everything, all the npm packages suddenly not maintained anymore, the virtual phones not always starting or refreshing, the custom code you add to do in Java and Objective C because…

I would do it again.

Mobile is generally shit, but RN made it bareable.

But, yes, much bigger overhead with all the native stuff. I'd recommend everyone to use web tech whenever possible.

Re: Transition to React Native

#160

Post by jessepollak » Sat, May 15, 2021, 5:11 PM UTC

jabo wrote: post #4

Would be great if Coinbase also contributes back to the React Native ecosystem, like how Shopify pledged to do. That would be a net positive for everyone involved.

We are doing this already and plan to increase the investment over time. Stay tuned!