Flutter vs React Native: A Developer’s Perspective

04th Feb, 2020
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Flutter vs React Native

React Native by Facebook and Flutter by Google – two hot cross-platform app development technologies creating a buzz. during this post, we'll compare both of them intimately from a developer’s perspective.

Due to the growing popularity of mobile apps, almost every company needs a mobile app or apps to stay competitive within the market. And what's more, companies are trying to find an choice to build mobile apps, especially for iOS and Android, with faster speed and fewer resources. Apple and Google have provided native tools and technologies to create apps. iOS app developers can build apps using Xcode and Swift, while Android developers use Android Studio and Kotlin/Java. However, this needs engineers to find out two completely different sets of technologies. As a result, companies have began to adopt cross-platform solutions over the native solutions to create apps for both iOS and Android faster employing a single language.

What’s Flutter and React Native?
React Native may be a project started by Facebook internally that they open-sourced in 2015. On the opposite side is Flutter, a project started by Google which they need been heavily promoting since I/O 2017. Both of those technologies help app developers build cross-platform apps faster by employing a single programing language . React Native is already a mature tool and features a huge community, but Flutter also started seeing huge adoption rates since 2017. during this post, we'll compare each of them using ten criteria:

Programming language
Technical architecture
Installation
Setup and project configuration
UI components and development API
Developer productivity
Community support
Testing support
Build & release automation support
DevOps and CI/CD support

Now that we've defined all our criteria, let’s start exploring each of them intimately .

Programming Language
The key advantage of employing a cross-platform mobile app development technology is that the ability to use one programing language to develop apps for both iOS and Android.

React Native — JavaScript
React Native uses JavaScript to create cross-platform apps. JavaScript may be a very fashionable language within the web community at the instant . it's commonly used with React and other popular JavaScript frameworks. because of React Native, web developers can build mobile apps with a touch little bit of training. With this in mind, companies adopted React Native as a no brainer . JavaScript may be a dynamically typed language and anything are often through with JavaScript, which is sweet and bad at an equivalent time.

Flutter — Dart
Flutter uses Dart programing language which was introduced by Google in 2011 and is never employed by developers. Dart syntax is straightforward to know for JavaScript or Java developers because it supports most of the object-oriented concepts. It’s easy to urge started with Dart as there's great and easy-to-follow documentation available on the official Dart site here.

Technical Architecture
When choosing a cross-platform mobile app development framework, it’s essential to think about its technical architecture. By knowing the internals of the framework, we will make an informed decision and choose the one that's better for our project.

React Native — Flux
React Native architecture heavily relies on JS runtime environment architecture, also referred to as JavaScript bridge. The JavaScript code is compiled into native code at runtime. React Native uses the Flux architecture from Facebook. there's an in depth article on the core architecture of React Native here. In short, React Native uses the JavaScript bridge to speak with the native modules.

Flutter — Skia
Flutter uses the Dart framework which has most of the components inbuilt so it’s bigger in size and sometimes doesn't require the bridge to speak with the native modules. Dart has numerous frameworks, like Material Design and Cupertino, packed inside which give all the specified technologies needed to develop mobile apps. The Dart framework uses Skia C++ engine which has all the protocols, compositions and channels. The architecture of the Flutter engine is explained intimately in Github Wiki here. In short, Flutter has everything needed for app development within the Flutter engine itself.

Installation
The installation method should be straightforward without having too many complicated steps in order that it might be easily learned by developers that are just starting with it.

React Native — NPM
The React Native framework are often installed using the Node Package Manager (NPM). For developers that have a JavaScript background, installation of React Native is straightforward , whereas other developers would wish to find out the node package manager. The node package manager can install the packages locally or globally. The developers will got to understand where precisely the binary is found . Whilst installing React Native on macOS, we'd like to possess the HomeBrew package manager also .

Flutter — Binary Download from Source
Flutter are often installed by downloading the binary for a selected platform from Github. within the case of macOS, we've to download the flutter.zip file and add it as a PATH variable.
Flutter should improve the installation method by supporting package managers like Homebrew, MacPorts, YUM, APT, etc in order that users wouldn’t got to perform these extra steps during installation.

Setup and Project Configuration
The process of fixing the developer machine to use the new framework takes time. It requires many configuration of software installations. The technology should have proper documentation to urge users up and running.

React Native
The getting started guide of the React Native project assumes that the developer already has all the specified setup for developing for iOS and Android. there's little info on the Xcode instruction tools but it won’t be enough to urge going. The documentation directly jumps to the step of making a replacement project.

Flutter
The getting started guide for Flutter has detailed information on IDE setup and platform setup for both iOS and Android. you'll read all the specified setup details on Flutter install for macOS here. On top of this, Flutter features a CLI tool called flutter doctor which may guide developers through the setup. It inspects which tools are installed on the local machine and which tools got to be configured. Once the flutter doctor command is happy, we will keep it up with creating a replacement Flutter app. there's a separate page on the way to configure the editors to urge going with Flutter.

Developer Productivity
Developer productivity is that the key to putting together apps faster. during this regard, it’s vital to be ready to specialise in app development with none quite wait or distraction.

React Native
If the developer is skilled in JavaScript, then it’s fairly easy to use those skills for cross-platform app development. React Native features a hot reload feature which saves tons of developer time while testing the changes within the UI. In terms of IDE support, developers are liberal to use any text editor or IDE of their choice.

Flutter
Flutter also features a hot reload feature and it’s very easy to urge started with the demo app. However, because the complexity of apps grows, developers would wish to find out and adopt the new Flutter concepts. additionally , Dart isn't a standard programing language and there's a scarcity of support for it in many IDEs and text editors.

React Native
React Native launched in 2015 and has gained in popularity ever since. there's a community of React Native developers on GitHub and much of meetups and conferences round the world. one among the foremost recent conferences on React Native was React Native EU held in Poland, but there are meetups happening in almost every major city within the world.

Flutter
Flutter has been around for a short time but it gained tons of attention when Google promoted it within the Google I/O conference in 2017. The Flutter community is growing rapidly lately , meetups and conferences are happening online. the most important event coming are going to be Flutter sleep in December. In short, the Flutter community is growing rapidly; yet, there are still not enough resources for developers to unravel common issues.

Testing Support
Writing tests may be a good way to urge quick feedback on the code. there's always a testing framework related to every mature technology to permit developers to make unit, integration and UI tests for the apps.

React Native
React Native may be a JavaScript framework and there are a couple of unit level testing frameworks available in JavaScript. The tools like Jest are often used for snapshot testing. However, when it involves integration or UI level testing, there's no official support from React Native. There are third-party tools like Appium and Detox which will be used for testing React Native apps but they're not officially supported.

Flutter
Flutter provides an upscale set of testing features to check apps at unit, widget and integration level. Flutter has great documentation on testing Flutter apps here, you'll also read the Nevercode blog on testing Flutter apps for detailed information on how Flutter apps are often tested. Flutter features a cool widget testing feature where we will create widget tests to check the UI and run them at the speed of unit tests.

Build & Release Automation Support
Releasing mobile apps to the App Store or Play Store may be a painful process. It involves the complex task of code signing all another application setup. When it involves cross-platform mobile app development, it gets even trickier.

React Native
The React Native official documentation doesn’t have any automated steps to deploy the iOS apps to App Store. However, it provides a manual process for deploying the app from Xcode. there's a piece of writing on the way to deploy React Native apps to App Store here but the whole process looks manual. However, we will use third-party tools like fastlane to deploy iOS and Android apps written with React Native. the method of using fastlane to ship React Native apps is described during this article. this suggests that React Native has got to believe third-party libraries for build and release automation.

Flutter
Flutter features a strong instruction interface. we will create a binary of the app by using the instruction tools and following the instructions in Flutter documentation for building and releasing Android and iOS apps. On top of this, Flutter has officially documented the deployment process with fastlane here.

DevOps and CI/CD Support
Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery practices are essential for any app so as to urge continuous feedback and avoid releasing buggy code.

React Native
React Native doesn’t have any official documentation on fixing CI/CD. However, there are some articles which describe CI/CD for React Native apps. there's a piece of writing which explains the method of fixing CI/CD for React Native apps with Nevercode.

Flutter
Flutter features a section on Continuous Integration and Testing which incorporates links to external sources. However, Flutter’s rich instruction interface allows us to line up CI/CD easily. Nevercode has inbuilt support for CI/CD for Flutter apps. The detailed blog post explaining the CI/CD process of Nevercode are often found here.

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Getting Started with iOS App Development

The Ultimate Guide to iOS App Development: Creating Apps from Scratch Introduction of iOS App Development iOS App Development has become an essential IT -Tech industry skill. With a growing number of users and a rapidly growing and high-paying app market, creating applications for Apple devices offers exciting opportunities. In this section, we’ll explore every step of iOS development, from basic to advanced, brainstorming ideas, and launching your app. What is iOS App Development? iOS App Development involves creating software specifically for Apple’s iOS platform, which powers the iPhone and iPad. Ios Application Development includes different kinds of tasks, such as coding, designing user interfaces, and integrating features that utilize the unique capabilities of Apple devices. Why is iOS App Development important? Quality User Base: iOS has a large user base that appreciates quality applications. By developing this platform, you can tap into a rewarding market. Large Platform Integration: Apple products work well together, allowing developers to create applications that leverage features across devices, such as iCloud and Apple Watch. Supportive Community: The iOS App Development community is vibrant and filled with resources, making it easy to find help and share knowledge. Setting Up Your Development Environment Required Software for iOS App Development To get started with iOS development, you need the following tools: Xcode: This powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essential for building iOS applications, offering tools for coding, debugging, and designing. Swift: This modern programming language created by Apple allows for safe and efficient coding with a clean syntax. Simulator: Integrated within Xcode, this tool helps you test applications across different iPhone and iPad models without needing physical devices. Installation Steps Download Xcode: Get Xcode from the Mac App Store, ensuring your OS is compatible with the latest version. Create an Apple Developer Account: While you can start development without an account, publishing apps on the App Store requires an account, which comes with an annual fee. Learn Swift: Spend some time getting familiar with Swift before diving into app development, as understanding the language will streamline the process. The iOS App Development Process Step 1: Generate Idea Every successful app begins with a solid idea. Here are some tips for brainstorming: Identify a Problem: Think about common issues people face. Your app should aim to address a specific problem or enhance an existing solution. Research the Market: Analyse existing applications in the App Store. Understand what users like and dislike to inform your approach. Define Your Audience: Knowing your target audience will guide your design and feature decisions. Step 2: Planning and Design Wireframing Creating wireframes is crucial in the planning phase. Wireframes outline your app’s layout and flow, helping you visualize user interactions. UI-UX Design A well-designed user interface is key to keeping users engaged. Here are some guidelines: Keep It Simple: Strive for clarity in design. Limit interactive elements to avoid overwhelming users. Ensure Consistency: Use a matching color scheme with your app and typography throughout the app to create a harmonious experience. Incorporate Feedback Mechanisms: Provide visual or auditory feedback after actions, such as tapping a button, to enhance interactivity. Step 3: Development Setting Up the Project In Xcode, create a new project using the appropriate template, whether a Single View App or a Tabbed App. Coding Your App Start coding with Swift, focusing on key concepts: MVC Architecture: Understanding the Model-View-Controller design pattern helps separate the app’s data, user interface, and logic. UIKit Framework: Familiarize yourself with UIKit for building your app's user interface, including buttons, labels, and table views. SwiftUI: This modern framework allows for declarative UI development, simplifying the process across all Apple platforms. Implementing Features Begin adding core features to your app: Networking: Use URLSession to make network requests and fetch data from APIs. Data Storage: Choose a suitable storage solution, such as UserDefaults for small data sets or Core Data for more complex structures. Animations: Enhance user experience with animations using UIKit or SwiftUI. Step 4: Testing Ensuring your application functions correctly is vital. Consider various testing strategies: Unit Testing: Develop unit tests to check each component of your code. Xcode’s XCTest framework can help with this. UI Testing: Simulate user interactions to verify that the app’s interface behaves correctly. Beta Testing: Distribute your app to a small group of testers before the official launch to gather feedback and address issues. Step 5: App Store Submission Once your app is polished, it’s time to submit it to the App Store: Prepare App Store Assets: Create app icons, screenshots, and a compelling description highlighting your app's features. Fill Out App Information: In App Store Connect, provide details like the app name, category, and pricing. Submit for Review: Submit your app for review, and Apple will evaluate whether it meets their guidelines. Launch Your App: Once approved, your app will go live on the App Store. Promote it to attract users and gather initial feedback. Best Practices in iOS App Development 1. Write Clean Code Maintain clean and readable code for collaboration and future updates: Use meaningful variable and function names. Write comments to explain complex logic. Break large pieces of functionality into smaller, reusable components. 2. Optimize Performance Performance is key to user satisfaction. Here are some strategies: Profile Your App: Use Xcode’s Instruments tool to monitor performance and identify bottlenecks. Optimize Images: Use appropriate image sizes and formats to reduce loading times. Minimize Memory Usage: Release unnecessary memory, especially when handling large data sets. 3. Emphasize Accessibility Creating an accessible app is crucial. Implement features like: VoiceOver Support: Ensure compatibility with screen readers. Dynamic Type: Allow users to adjust font sizes for better readability. Color Contrast: Use color combinations that are easily distinguishable for users with color blindness. 4. Prioritize User Privacy With growing data privacy concerns, protecting user data is essential: Transparency: Inform users about data collection and usage. Data Security: Use encryption for sensitive information and follow best practices for storage. Advanced iOS App Development Topics 1. Integrating Machine Learning Machine learning is increasingly relevant in mobile apps. Core ML allows you to integrate models easily, adding features like image recognition or natural language processing. 2. Working with Augmented Reality (AR) ARKit provides tools to create immersive augmented reality experiences that blend digital elements with the real world. 3. Swift Package Manager Swift Package Manager simplifies managing code dependencies, allowing seamless integration of third-party libraries. 4. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Implementing CI/CD practices streamlines development, ensuring your app is always in a releasable state. Common Challenges and Solutions 1. Debugging Issues Debugging can be challenging. Use Xcode’s tools to set breakpoints and inspect variables to save time in troubleshooting. 2. Keeping Up with Changes Apple frequently updates its tools and frameworks. Stay informed by following industry news and participating in forums. 3. Managing User Feedback Gathering and managing user feedback is crucial after your app is live. Use analytics tools to track behavior and preferences. Starting your journey in iOS App Development can be highly rewarding. This guide provides the knowledge and skills needed to succeed, from understanding the development process to launching your app. By focusing on user experience, writing clean code, and continuing to learn, you can create applications that not only meet user needs but also shine in a competitive market.

Future Scope of Android Application Development

Scope for Android Application Development in 2020 Mobile application development one of the fastest growing IT career paths in this decade. India stands second for internet users after China and expected to grow 730 million in 2020. According to market research firm techARC, the number of smartphone users in India was 502.2 million in Dec 2019 and expected to grow in 2020. Companies are more focusing to Hire Android Application Developers in India. With the increase of the market share of Android users in India, companies are now getting into android application development. The Scope of android application developers has increased rapidly and will always increase in the coming years in India. Big companies like Samsung, Oppo, Mi, Vivo, One plus are launching mobile phones with new features update every year, thus increasing the demand for the android application developer. It is hard to imagine any single person in this world without using a mobile phone in this 21st century. It’s no secret that mobile applications are an integral part of our lives now. From online shopping to ordering food and playing games, chatting with friends there is an app for almost everything. E-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy, Lens Kart, OYO, and Makemytrip are running most of their business through mobile applications. They require knowledgeable app developers who can take responsibility to look out for bugs in the application and fix those bugs. The salary offered to Android app developers is highly satisfied and can grow as they become more experienced and more skillful. According to payscale.com, the average salary of an android developer in India is Rs. 361,928 per year. Reason to Learn Application Development There is plenty of reason for students to learn Application development Open Source Android is an open-source operating system designed mainly for smartphones and tablets. It helps the developer to register once and then they can develop apps and earn. On the Android platform, the one-time registration fee is $25 to get a developer account on the Google play store which helps you to publish multiple android apps in a single account. For paid apps, Google charges 30% commission as an aggregator and for free apps, they are distributed free among all users over the world. 1. Huge Market size for Business The mobile application market is the fastest growing app market in India. Android developers also can publish their apps on other platforms like SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, AppBrain, 1Mobile, Aptoide. Most of these platforms or markets are free. India has recognized IT hubs globally. 2. High Return on Investment with Low Cost and efficiency Application Developers use the Android SDK tools and build an application. They need to pay only once for the registration amount. Thus end-users are benefited using interactive apps and the company gains a high return on investment... 3. Larger User Base in the active user Android has a large number of users in the world and it continues to grow on day by day. Android allows you to develop apps and games for millions of android users. Thus reaching a larger number of users gives you the perception of the market. 4. Career Opportunities for Android Developer The market size in android is large thus job scope for android mobile app development is increasing day today in India. Developers who are knowledgeable and experienced will have a good salary package in this industry. For experienced developer’s salary lies between Rs 1.2 to 5.6 lakh per annum. Scope of Android App Development in IT & Other Sectors 1. Banking Industry Indian Prime Minister Announcement of Digital India initiatives bought a lot of changes in India. With Cashless transaction in India has increased online banking transactions, with this increase banking application is been in vastly demanding. All the banks in India are ready to pay high salaries to experience and skillful developers. Maintaining the banking app needs many security checks like customer’s sensitive information which should not be leaked to the public. Apps like Paytm, Bhim app, PhonePe app, google pay are being in demand nowadays. 2. Educational Industry With digitalized India initiatives, many educational industries are getting updated with the latest online courses. Nowadays it’s been easy to learn with online courses where ever you are you can access the online course and learn new things in this competitive market. An application like Udemy, Byju’s, TED, Topranker, NCERT, Simplilearn. 3. Gaming Industry Who doesn’t like to play games? Mostly the game is liked by Children and Youngster. PUB G game has become rapidly popular among youngsters in the world these days. A Demand for the gaming sector for Android mobile application is also booming nowadays in India. The gaming sector is giving the highest Return compare to any industry in India. Game development example like candy crush, Ball Pool, Clash Royale 4. E-commerce Industry The E-commerce industry in India was expected to do sales of $120 billion in 2020. Mostly customer like to buy through mobile apps as many big companies like Amazon and Flipkart usually gives huge discounts on apps and time-consuming. 5. Social Media Industry Social Media is another platform that is getting ample benefits through android applications. World’s biggest organizations such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest Snapchat are famous examples that have utilized an android platform for their business profits. 6. Media & Entertainment Industry The future of android mobile app development regarding the media & entertainment industry seems to be very effective. To get sports updates, watch TV serials, listen to music. People using smartphones from around the world prefer mobile apps to avail of all such benefits. Some of the android applications for media & entertainment are Wynk, Soundcloud, Saavn, IMDb, Hungama, Google Play Music, Cricbuzz. 7. Freelancing Business The scope for android app development is not bound to the industry of e-commerce, education, social media, gaming, banking & finance. Freelancing is another aspect area where an individual can utilize his skills and make personal profits.