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Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

arielelkin.github.io

11–20 of 21 posts

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#11

Great article. On a side node, however: please don't write code like this: var weAreConnected = Math.floor(Math.random() * 10) > 5 if (weAreConnected === true) { this.setState({ isConnected: true }) } else { this.setState({ isConnected: false }) } Instead, simplify the logic var weAreConnected = Math.floor(Math.random() * 10) > 5 this.setState({ isConnected: weAreConnected }) The random choice is also overy complicat…

I'm so glad you noticed this - it was bugging me.

I've noticed a pattern in "X vs. Y" articles where the examples of the technology the author doesn't favor are unnecessarily complex.

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#12
Very convincing. Now I really want to use react native!Thanks. The author points to lots of benefits and advantages in using react native, then shows some legal stuff you might or might not worry about (with a tinfoil hat example), then complains A LOT about javascript, making it very clear he doesn't really get it and can't understand how its ecosystem currently works.

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#13
While I can't argue the shortcomings of js, it's hard to not see most of the argument as a strong stance of statically typed languages that get compiled against those of dynamically typed languages that evaluate at run time. Both types of languages have their time and place and I wonder if bringing that discussion dilutes the discussion to avoid react native.

On the point of community versus big company support I can't help but observe what appears to be anti open source sentiment conveyed as fact. While many of us have seen fads come and go we have to admit the wild success and stability of many open source libraries without formal agreements to maintain them. Everything from Rails, to Django, to jQuery, and Linux distros. There is a caveat here that JS libs do seem to die out faster and have questionable quality but again plenty are also great.

I think the choice of React Native really boils down to understanding the platform and source. If you understand how React Native leverages the toolkits and interacts with the system I think you have the tools you need to make a good decision.

For me I prefer native development where I can easily control and limit dependencies. If I want to hit all devices or most I'll build a great responsive web app. At the end React Native is today NOT a production level solution that will cover android and iPhone devices, android is a separate toolkit.

My rambling is done I suppose. If anything can be gleaned from this it is to understand the risks and be mindful of the costs of adopting a new framework and dev environment. If you are careful, intentional, and lean on smart teammates for help you will be just fine.

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#14
Opens with how other articles on React Native haven't been comprehensive, goes on to fill most of it about JS short comings like we haven't been aware for a decade.

And the recommendation at the end for Flutter, which shares all attributes of RN (open source, free, cross platform, from a large tech company, but one known for killing projects), was strange. It made the argument essentially I want RN but not a dynamically typed language.

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#16
Hmmm I'm not writing articles about Elixir downsides, form the simple reason - I don't know this language well. Your article was written to show downsides of JavaScript, but example codes was written terrible. A lot of mistakes, weird examples and no basic knowledge how JavaScript is interpreted at runtime

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#17
post #16

Hmmm I'm not writing articles about Elixir downsides, form the simple reason - I don't know this language well. Your article was written to show downsides of JavaScript, but example codes was written terrible. A lot of mistakes, weird examples and no basic knowledge how JavaScript is interpreted at runtime

> no basic knowledge how JavaScript is interpreted at runtime

Could you show where author wrong about this?

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#18
I simply cannot bring myself to use Appcelerator or Flutter. Isn't Appcelerator expensive (like Xamarin used to be)? Xamarin is ok, but keep in mind unless you use Forms, you are still using the iOS and Android SDK's so you still need to be proficient in both, so it is not as xplat as you think. Flutter would be ok, but I don't trust Google with Dart and it looks extremely underpowered with no community.

Re: Why I'm Not a React Native Developer

#19
post #16

Hmmm I'm not writing articles about Elixir downsides, form the simple reason - I don't know this language well. Your article was written to show downsides of JavaScript, but example codes was written terrible. A lot of mistakes, weird examples and no basic knowledge how JavaScript is interpreted at runtime

The mere fact that you suggested Elixir has downsides will make the functional elitists go crazy.
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