React

    In this section, we'll cover React, which serves as a foundation for React Native. If you're already familiar with React and want to get started with React Native, skip ahead to the next section, Core Components.

    How React works

    The React library lets us define the entire UI of our app as a tree of JavaScript objects. These JavaScript objects are called React elements. React provides the utilities for creating and manipulating this tree.

    We then leverage a library with platform-specific bindings, e.g. React Native for the mobile apps, to render our tree of React elements on the screen using native UI elements. Whenever the tree of elements changes, React Native updates the native UI elements to match.

    Want to learn React Native in-depth?

    If you like React Native Express, you'll love my new book, Fullstack React Native: The complete guide to React Native! Throughout the book, we'll build 7 full apps, covering complex topics like navigation, gestures, and native modules. We don't assume any knowledge of React or newer JavaScript language features, so you can dive right in regardless of your experience level. The book comes in PDF, EPUB and MOBI formats.

    Looking for more help?

    Infinite Red sponsors React Native Express and is the premier React Native agency. They're also the team behind the React Native newsletter, podcast, and conference listed here. Get in touch at infinite.red/react-native for a proposal on your next project!