Introduction

React Native is undoubtedly one of the best cross-platform frameworks out there. A recent developer survey reveals, that React Native is the most popular cross-platform mobile framework used by 42% of developers globally. If you, too, are a raving fan of this framework, this blog is for you. Throughout this blog, we will be sharing five tips and tricks that will make you a ninja developer in no time. If that sounds exciting, let’s get going!

5 Awesome React Native Tips & Tricks

#1 – Make Your App Thumb-friendly

When it comes to desktops, cursor rules; in the same way, with mobile devices, the thumb is more dominant than any other finger. Think of it for a moment – how do we all use mobile apps? For the most part, we interact with them through our thumbs. And to make your React Native apps useful, we must optimize them such that our users can easily surf through them.

How do you do that?

Start with the basics: make your touch targets bigger and keep ample space between each button/link. Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines accurately state, “Provide ample touch targets for interactive elements. Try to maintain a minimum tappable area of 44pt x 44pt for all controls.”

While you don’t necessarily need to keep each element 44pt x 44pt in size. Just make sure to keep the tappable area as per the prescribed dimensions.

#2 – Think of Implementation during the Design Phase

Designs that are simple and easy to implement on the web can be challenging to replicate in React Native. Thus, you must consider how the design may be implemented while building the app.

Is an open-source library required for developing this type of design? If so, can you rely on this library? Consider how much time will it take to implement the design, and is it worth it? Will the design affect your app’s performance? The last thing you want is an app that looks great but takes an eternity to load and keeps crashing due to heavy design elements.

Whenever you’re not sure, seek technical assistance from the right source. Ask someone who has already designed and developed the kind of app you’re seeking to create. That way, you will save a reasonable amount of time, energy, and resources.

#3 – Test Your App with Jest

React ecosystem comes with several libraries for testing apps. However, Jest is undoubtedly one of the best libraries for unit testing. Developed by Facebook, Jest allows you to test JavaScript and React code. Apart from Jest, you can use Calabash for running automated functional tests on Android and iOS. Because it supports the Cucumber library, you will be able to write the tests in natural languages as well.

Testing your application is a good practice as it will ensure it performs optimally round the clock.

It supports the Cucumber library so that you can write your tests in a natural language. The combination of Jest and Calabash should be sufficient to test almost all aspects of your application.

#4 – Use ESLint in All Projects

ESLint is one of the most popular tools that will help you identify and report patterns found in ECMAScript/JavaScript code while making your code more consistent and reliable. The extension is easy to install, set up and use. It is recommended that you add it to all your projects from the very beginning. If you don’t want a certain set of rules, the extension allows you to disable them via the .eslintrc configuration file. However, for the most part, it will help you produce good quality code for your app.

#5 – Explicitly Clarify Smart & Dumb Components

Smart components are often referred to as class-based or container components as they represent how things work. This means, that they fetch data from the API and provide it to other components, hold the state, and do most of the computing.

On the other side, dumb components referred to as functional or presentational components, are concerned with how things look. Simply put, they only collect data through parent components and display it on the front end. They contain all the styling. Like smart components, they are also reusable as they provide functionality based on the input data.

Clarifying smart and dumb components in any React Native project is extremely important as it will help you organize things efficiently later. Moreover, you will also be able to reuse your components effectively whenever needed.

Final Words

If you’re a React developer offering React Native development services, the above-mentioned React native tricks will surely amp up your expertise with the framework. Share it with other React Native developers who can benefit from these tips.

Last but not least, if you’re seeking to collaborate with a full-service mobile app development company, let’s work together. Share with us your idea, and we will be happy to help.