React Native Rolls out New Architecture: Everything You Need to Know

React Native has been creating a buzz in app development since its inception. After all, it has changed the state of cross-platform development. Today, hybrid apps are high-performing, feature-rich, and secure.

Besides this, it allows developers to build projects faster with minimum coding, thanks to its code reusability. No wonder nearly 38% of developers use React Native for various applications.

Over the years, this open-source framework underwent improvements in terms of features and tools. However, one of the most awaited updates is the new architecture in 2022. Last week, the core team launched the latest React Native architecture – the Fabric Renderer and the TurboModule system.

Are you planning to hire a React Native developer in India for your next project? If yes, you should know what this new architecture has to offer. Also, if you are an active React Native development firm, you must understand the latest community initiatives. With this, you can provide your clients with up-to-date services. Below, we have explained everything you need to know about the new React Native.

• What are Fabric Renderer and the TurboModule system?

  Fabric is nothing but a new rendering system of React Native. We can consider it as conceptual evolution of the previous React Native architecture – legacy architecture. Its primary principles are boosting interoperability, merging more render logic in C++, and unveiling new React Native capabilities. In addition to this, the new renderer supports the Facebook app’s React Native.

  Now, you have an idea about the new renderer. It’s time to find out the motivation behind creating it.

• Why does the core team create new React Native architecture?

  The ultimate reason to release renderer architecture is to offer better users experiences, which was lacking in the legacy architecture. Here are a few examples.

  • The new renderer supports synchronous and multi-priority events. It allows React Native developers to give importance to particular user interactions. Also, they can handle them within the time.
  • As mentioned already, the renderer improves interoperability with host platforms. Thus, it enables synchronously measuring and rendering React surfaces. If we look at the legacy architecture of React Native, it had an asynchronous layout, which caused a “jump” issue.
  • The renderer can integrate with React Suspense. It helps the top React Native app development companies to create more intuitive designs to collect data for React apps.
  • With the new renderer, you can leverage React Concurrent features in React Native apps.
  • It implements server-side rendering effortless of React Native.

• What are the advantages of the new React Native architecture?

  Unlike legacy architecture, the renderer provides numerous benefits. We will learn them in the section below.

  • Better performance – The renderer system comes with a new multi-platform implementation. As a result, each platform receives improved performance. It was lacking in one platform. A view flattening was a solution to boost performance in Android apps. However, you can access it on both Android and iOS.
  • Enhanced host platform interoperability – We learned the legacy architecture had an asynchronous layout, which failed to provide better user experiences. But the renderer solved this problem because it allows synchronous calculation during host platform interoperability.
  • Increased consistency – The latest React Native architecture is cross-platform. Hence, developers can create consistency across multiple platforms with ease.
  • Type safety – Another benefit of the new renderer system is to enable code generation to offer type safety through the JavaScript and host platforms. In simple words, it prevents mismatching between host component props and JavaScript. It can trigger a building error.
  • C++ Core sharing – The C++ is used to implement the renderer, and the platforms share the core. It has two advantages: better consistency and easier adoption of React Native on new platforms.
  • Faster to get started – The renderer architecture makes host components get started lazily by default.

• How to enable the new React Native architecture?

  Another highly anticipated update is React Native 0.68.0. It will be the first version to have an opt-in switch in the app. In simple words, React Native users can try new architecture by making changes in one line of the template. Here is how you can enable the new architecture in Android and iOS.

  • Android – You should set the newArchEnabled property to true using the following ways, such as:
    • You can change the similar lines in the
      android/gradle.properties file.
    • You can place the environment variable
      ORG_GRADLE_PROJECT_newArchEnabled=true.
    • Cite Gradle using -PnewArchEnabled=true
  • iOS – Run this command RCT_NEW_ARCH_ENABLED=1 bundle exec pod install in the iOS folder.

After this, use yarn react-native run-ios or run-android to run your app. It will enable Fabric and TurboModules.

The Bottom Line

The new architecture has been created to bring opportunities for React Native and improve user experiences. It has almost covered the features and functionalities lacking in the previous architecture. If you want to leverage its benefits like performance, code quality, and extensibility, you should hire the best React Native developers who stay abreast with updates.

If you want to hire React Native developer in India with proficiency in React Native, get in touch with SoftProdigy. We house a team of developers who are committed to delivering quality services.

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FAQs

1. What is React Native?

   React Native is an open-source framework that offers cross-platform implementation. It means developers can build applications for Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, web, etc.

2. Is React Native a front-end or back-end framework?

   It is a front-end framework that allows developers to create robust and high-performing applications for multiple devices.

3. Is React Native a popular framework?

   Over the past few years, React Native has gained a lot of momentum. Both start-ups and web-established companies choose React Native. Some global names are Bloomberg, Uber Eats, Airbnb, Instagram, and more.

4. What are the advantages of using React Native?

   If you choose React Native for your upcoming project, here are the perks you can enjoy.

   • Cost-effectiveness
   • Live reload
   • Improved and intuitive architecture
   • Better performance
   • Code reusing