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by dzek 3030 days ago
If you are alone in your project and never used JavaScript - don't use React Native. It won't give you any benefits at all. It's that simple.

It may be useful if you know and like JS already or your have a team of web developers and you need them to build mobile app for you or your client. They should be able to do it without much to learn and your will have an app that can be potentially run on Android and iOS.
2 comments
jannotti 3030 days ago
I don't follow. In my opinion, if you're alone on a project, the case for React Native (compared to writing an Android app in Java and an iOS app in ObjC or Swift) is even greater.

The OP didn't ever explicitly say he wanted to create an iOS and an Android app though, and I would agree that if that's not a desire, then React Native is less compelling, especially if OP has never used JS, as you said.

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beojan 3030 days ago
Only if you are a web developer. If you already know other languages, Obj C / Swift for iOS and Java for Android would be easier (even if there is duplicated work).

Alternatively, you could use C++ and Qt for both.

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jannotti 3028 days ago
Ok, I guess that's where we disagree. I think that even if I were well versed in native Android or iOS development, I'd be better off writing a new app in React Native (even if I had to learn it all), rather than becoming well-versed in native development of the other, and then writing two apps.

If I was an expert in both Android and iOS, and knew nothing of web development... I still think I'd lean toward learning and using React Native. But only then would it be a close call.

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beojan 3027 days ago
I would just target the platform I already knew first, then port to the other if it turns out to be worth it.
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mkirklions 3030 days ago
I'm writing a finance tech app, I pretty much need it to be perfect for obvious reasons. This was one of my goals, bringing people in later to build on my code.

Do you think its worth hiring a software developer 5pm-8pm to work on this with me? I was otherwise going to brute force it myself evenings and weekends.

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bdcravens 3030 days ago
> I was otherwise going to brute force it myself evenings and weekends.

I think you'll save yourself time in the long run (and learn new skills) by going through HTML, CSS (especially flexbox, particularly important in a React Native app) and Javascript (focusing on ES6) base-level material.

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