Everything You Need to Know About the New React Native Architecture for 2023

 Recently, the react native team unveiled their updated react-native architecture. Fabric, Turbo Modules, Code Gen, and, most crucially, JavaScript Interface (JSI) are just a few of the noteworthy features in the new architecture.  

If you haven't had a chance to check out the new React Native architecture, this post will walk you through Fabric Renderer and Turbo Module System.  

Discover the advantages of a React Native New Architecture and why it is necessary.  

So, let's begin!  

All about React Native?  

React Native is an iOS and Android JavaScript framework designed to develop mobile apps with native rendering capabilities.  

Instead of targeting browsers, it focuses on mobile platforms and is constructed using React, Facebook's JavaScript toolkit for creating user interfaces.  

Put simply, web developers can now design mobile applications with a complete "native" appearance and experience while utilizing the well-known and cherished JavaScript framework.  

Moreover, given that a substantial portion of the code you develop can be shared across platforms, React Native simplifies the process of concurrently building applications for both Android and iOS. 

What is the Current Architecture of React Native?  

 

When we develop and launch a new React Native application, the JavaScript code is packaged together in a JS Bundle Package, but the native code is stored separately.  

JavaScript Engines such as JavaScript Core are used to run the JS code. React Native apps are currently executed over three threads in the current architecture. 

• The JavaScript thread uses the JS engine to execute the JS bundle.  
• The Native/UI thread is responsible for running native modules and handling UI rendering, user gesture events, and so on.  
• Before rendering, the Shadow thread determines the arrangement of UI components. It collaborates with layout engines like Yoga, which are used to determine the placements of UI components.  

This communication takes the form of batches of serialized JSON packages between the JS and Native Threads.  

These packages pass via an object known as the Bridge, which can only handle asynchronous communication.  

Why Was a New React Native Architecture Required?  

The JavaScript thread, the main thread, and the shadow thread are React Native's three primary threads.  

They do not directly communicate with one another since the Bridge is their primary means of asynchronous JSON thread communication.  

A bridge is essential for the threads to communicate; as a result, there is reliance, latency, and uncertainty. Therefore, the new React Native design was necessary to overcome this reliance.  

Here Are Some of the Disadvantages of the Current React Native Architecture 

 

• The Bridge dependency for thread intercommunication in a React Native application is especially beneficial during the development process.  
• The serializable Bridge necessitates more copying than memory sharing across app threads.  
• The asynchronous paradigm does not guarantee that the message will arrive at its destination on time.  
• It transmits data at a prolonged rate.  
• Asynchronous UI changes create unexpected page jumps.  

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An Overview of the Latest React Native Architecture  

 

A few of the numerous modifications made by the new react-native architecture are listed below:  

1. JavaScript Interface (JSI)  

The preceding section demonstrated that the present React Native architecture employs a Bridge to facilitate JSON package-based communication between the JS and Native threads.  

Both JavaScript and Native threads cannot interact with one another directly or call any functions on one another. On the other hand, it has to be decoded when this package is received.  

Additionally, although the data transferred across the Bridge is asynchronous, there are occasions when the native and JS programs must be in sync.  

Using the JavaScript Interface (instead of the Bridge), a general-purpose layer built in C++, the JavaScript engine may interact directly with the native functions in the new react-native architecture.  

2. Fabric  

The Fabric is the rendering technology that will be used in place of the present User Interface manager.  

When a React, application starts in the current system, react executes the code to generate a react element tree in JavaScript. In C++, the renderer then constructs a react shadow tree from the react element tree.  

The layout engine uses the produced shadow tree to calculate the location of UI items on the screen. After calculating the placement of the UI element, the shadow tree is turned into a Host View Tree with native characteristics.  

However, this results in a slower transfer rate and the sending of extra data.  

Because the JS and UI threads are async, there may be occasional delays and frame drops (for example, while scrolling over large quantities of data in a Flat list).  

This is where Fabric, React Native's new rendering framework, comes in. The fabric rendering system may prioritize user inputs like scrolling and gestures to be executed in sync. Asynchronous tasks, such as API queries, would be used. 

The newly formed shadow tree would be immutable and shared by both threads allowing direct interaction. This will further enable the system to use less memory.

  

3. Turbo Modules  

The native modules utilized by JavaScript (such as Bluetooth, file storage, and so on) must be initialized before the app may run under the present architecture.  

As a result, even if we do not use any of these turbo modules, there is an additional loading time.  

Turbo modules enable JavaScript to refer to various modules, allowing the JS code to load each module as needed. This will shorten the startup time for React Native apps.

  

4. Code Gen  

JavaScript is a dynamically typed language, whereas JSI is a statically typed C++ language.  

A new static type of checker called Code Gen is provided to facilitate smooth communication between the two.  

Typed JavaScript allows Code Gen to define the interface elements utilized by Turbo Modules and Fabric. As a result, more code is created at build time rather than run time. 

The New React Native Architecture: How to Upgrade?  

You may migrate to the new React Native architecture to upgrade the React Native application to the latest version.  

Let's begin with the most essential things first.  

For simpler upgrading, you must use the specified release of the React Native app. To get the most recent improvements, you must use the React version, and you will ultimately upgrade to the React Native stable release.  

After that, please locate and install the latest recent react native. We can address OS-specific issues later.  

After upgrading to the most recent Gradle version, you may install the most recent React Gradle plugin for Android. Use the code straight from the React Native Reference guide.  

Turn on the C++ language feature that allows iOS app development for iOS app development.  

Let's look at the two primary migration strategies below:

New Architecture App  

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The first way of migration entails switching from one to the other. You must apply the native components from the most recent React Native version, 0.67, to the most recent React Native Architecture.  

Each commit is subject to its migration procedure. As a result, each branch shows a transition between distinct React Native versions. As a result, these portions are readable and reachable from the main branch.

New Architecture Libraries 

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This approach shows how to build Turbo Module and Fabric components step by step. As a result, in contrast to the first strategy, these branches are primarily employed for creation.  

Consequently, the ultimate challenge lies in preserving compatibility with earlier iterations of the React Native components. 

To Sum Up  

React Native App Development is a robust and adaptable framework for developing various mobile applications.  

Whether you're an experienced developer or starting, React Native is an excellent option for your next mobile app project.  

If you want to connect with the leading mobile app development company Vrinsoft Technology Pvt Ltd offers the services of skilled React developers who possess the necessary expertise as per your development strategies.  

Contact us today to discuss your requirements for app development.