React Native vs. Kotlin

Developing mobile applications has always been an elementary job of the tech industry. However, there has always been an issue that is having multiple platforms.

For this, different apps need to be developed. Besides maintaining two teams- one for iOS and one for Android, there lies a gap between the developments of the app. This initiated the idea of creating a cross-platform.

Ket Takeaways

• React Native is a cross-platform framework created by Facebook

• Kotlin is a programming language created by Jetbrains

• React Native and Kotlin are open-source and free to use

What is React Native?

React Native is a cross-platform mobile app that Facebook creates. The app is based on React.JS for building user interfaces. It utilises JavaScript with JSX, including a dozen of features. React Native lets you generate mobile apps using React Native elements, which are assembled into native apps.

React Native Core Features

• Open-source

React Native is open-source that is accessible to developers. They are utilise frameworks and libraries for free. With an MIT license, it enables limited restrictions on how the software is reused. Plus, it offers legal protection to the developers.

The open-source platform allows developers to use an equivalent technology, face the same struggles and encounter equal bugs. Developers answer several queries, the bugs are fixed, and forums are filled with valuable tips.

• Code Reuse

With React Native, developers can use the same code for both Android and iOS. This saves significant time in improvement and cost. In reality, cost-saving may be a bit lower.

It is said that almost 90% of the code may be reused between iOS and Android. You can calculate some extra time for functional alterations.

• Backed by Facebook

The fact is that Facebook created this project; hence, it will invest considerable energy and time in improving the delivering upgrades and framework frequently. So far, this has been the case and will continue in the future. As supported by Facebook, React Native is going to be a sustainable choice.

• Live Reload

After React, Respond Native may be the next mobile step. It expands and allows developers to make potential apps. React Native comes with a charming extra feature that is not found in other frameworks like the ‘Live Reload’.

This helps you observe the after-effect of the recent modification you have made to the code. For instance, if two home windows are opened- one showing the cell screen and the other is containing the code, you can see the impact on one screen.

• Architecture similar to React

The modular and intuitive interface is simpler to understand. It helps developers to dig into the platform and expand upon it. This improves adaptability and flexibility within a development team, making it less challenging to create upgrades and updates to web apps. Besides, testers will have less time to understand programming rationale and produce suitable testing scenarios.

Advantages of React Native

• Cheaper than native development

Generally speaking, apps created with React Native are less expensive than native development.

When you are using React Native, you need to make an app in JavaScript one time. However, this necessitates you to construct two separate apps for Android and iOS from the beginning.

As you have to write only one code on React Native, you do not need two developer teams and save double the required cost for maintaining and building two teams.

• Accelerates time to market

One of the most exciting returns of React Native is it can be developed within a short time. This speeds up the process with the several readymade features that the framework bestows.

Developers can save 40% of the expansion effort with React Native in comparison to Android and iOS for building the same app.

• It uses Javascript

Developers all over the world generally use JavaScript. Now, when React Native is written in JavaScript, it becomes easy for developers to choose it. Though a development team still needs Android/iOS professionals, the maximum of the effort focuses on Javascript.

When it comes to native app development, a company hires iOS and Android teams. This leads to communication gaps and obstructs the development procedure. Whereas, in React Native, a company will need a JavaScript developer experienced in coding for both platforms.

• Large developer community

React Native is a highly-used cross-platform, with an almost 42% adoption rate. You will find that it has more than 90k stars on Github. The best part about React Native is it is easily accessible and welcomes every developer’s contribution. 

• Close to native performance

Many believe that the performance of native apps cannot be defeated. In some cases, it may be true, but React Native offers nearly similar to a native app’s performance. This platform has a special function during the performance improvements that are done through controls and native modules.

What is Kotlin?

Traditionally, Kotlin is known as a programming language. However, in 2020, JetBrains released Kotlin Multiplatform, a free, open-source and used for general purposes. It allows developers to use a single codebase to build applications both for Android and iOS.

Kotlin is cross-platform and is considered practical. Though designed for JVM, it supports programming language for Android app development. It can be entirely operated with Java and support multiplatform programming. Developed by JetBrains, it has recently launched an alpha version. Developers use single codebases and write platform-specific code separately.

Kotlin Core Features

• Open Source

It is less complicated to convert a Java code into Kotlin. The truth is Android comes with a default, single-click. It has a proper setup for translating Java codes into Kotlin.

• Java Interoperability

Kotlin is very intensely interoperable with Java, which becomes highly interesting for the developers. Apart from this, it is highly compatible with Java versions 6 and 7. Kotlin codes can be operated on the Java Virtual Machine. Plus, it can use its tools and libraries.

• Eliminates null point exception

The sole aim of Kotlin programming languages is to get rid of the frequent blunder of the Android SDK. This is known as the Null pointer exception, which is regarded as The Billion Dollar Mistake. When developers use incorrect spelling or forget the assignment, the app crashes.

• Offers extension functions

The extension functions permit users to include methods to classes. This does not change the source code. You can adjust the pre-existing roles to the default classes and boost their scope and functionalities. These let specialization of the default functions to add product-based services as per clients’ requests.

• Eliminates the runtime overheads

The basic Kotlin library is very succinct- it does not have any new functionalities and is scalable. The focused extensions from the Java library are positioned in the Kotlin library. Most of the tasks are in sequence, which lessens the runtime fees considerably. Kotlin is hugely optimised for supporting Android development.

• Reduces LOC

Kotlin compiler is smart as all you need to type or state everything clearly. The best example is that you need to point out data types while declaring variables. The Kotlin compiler automatically infers type in variable declarations at the compile time. This increases productivity, saves time and reduces the chances of errors.

Advantages of Kotlin

• Improves team efficiency

Kotlin is compact and clear, which is why the language enhances team efficiency. All the credit goes to its concise and insightful syntax. More work can be done as it takes less time and fewer lines to write and deploy working code.

• Complies with existing Java code

Kotlin is positioned as a 100% Java-interoperable programming language. It is consistent with Java and all related tools and frameworks, which makes it possible to switch to this platform. If your product cannot be written in Kotlin, both languages can be used simultaneously.

• Easily maintainable

Kotlin is supported by a vast majority of IDEs, including Android Studio and other SDK tools. This helps increase developers’ productivity, as they can continue to work with the toolkit they are used to.

• Less problematic

Kotlin gives an understandable and solid codebase that makes the production code more steady and reliable. Bugs get identified during compile time, so developers can fix blunders before runtime.

• Modular integration

most likely the significant advantage in Kotlin Multiplatform is that it is not a framework but an SDK. This means that teams with existing apps can simply add a module or a small part to assess its viability without a huge commitment.

React Native vs Kotlin Comparison

Conclusion

Every app and every mobile team is different. This means that there will be room for both React Native and Kotlin Multiplatform.

React Native is an Open-source UI software framework developed by FB. It is cross-platform, uses Javascript as a programming language, and has a strong developer community. Popular apps include Facebook, Instagram, and Bloomberg.

Kotlin is a statically typed, cross-platform, general-purpose programming language. It is fully compatible with Java, is Google’s preferred technology for Android apps, and works under the Apache 2.0 license. Popular apps include Trello, Slack, and Evernote.

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