React Native vs Flutter comparison - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is React Native?

React Native is a framework developed by Facebook that allows developers to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It uses native components to create a native-like user experience.

beginner

What is Flutter?

Flutter is a UI toolkit developed by Google that uses the Dart language to build natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.

intermediate

How does React Native render UI components?

React Native uses native UI components of the platform, meaning it bridges JavaScript code to native widgets, resulting in a native look and feel.

intermediate

How does Flutter render UI components?

Flutter renders UI using its own high-performance rendering engine called Skia, drawing every pixel on the screen, which allows for consistent UI across platforms.

beginner

What are the main language differences between React Native and Flutter?

React Native uses JavaScript (or TypeScript) which is widely known, while Flutter uses Dart, a language designed by Google that is easy to learn but less common.

Which language does Flutter use?

A Dart

B Swift

C Java

D JavaScript

Flutter uses Dart, a language created by Google for building fast apps.

React Native renders UI using:

A Native platform components

B Custom rendering engine

C HTML and CSS

D Canvas drawing

React Native bridges JavaScript to native UI components for a native look.

Which framework provides a consistent UI across platforms by drawing every pixel?

A Cordova

B React Native

C Xamarin

D Flutter

Flutter uses its own rendering engine to draw UI consistently on all platforms.

Which framework is developed by Facebook?

A Flutter

B React Native

C Ionic

D NativeScript

React Native is developed and maintained by Facebook.

Which language is more widely known and used among web developers?

A Dart

B Kotlin

C JavaScript

D Swift

JavaScript is widely used and known by many developers, making React Native accessible.

Explain the main differences in UI rendering between React Native and Flutter.

Think about how each framework draws the app interface.

Compare the programming languages used in React Native and Flutter and their impact on learning curve.

Consider what languages you already know or need to learn.

Practice

1. Which language does React Native primarily use for building apps?

easy

A. Kotlin

B. Dart

C. JavaScript and JSX

D. Swift

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify React Native's programming language

   React Native uses JavaScript along with JSX syntax to build UI components.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Dart is used by Flutter, Swift and Kotlin are native languages for iOS and Android respectively.

3. Final Answer:

   JavaScript and JSX -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   React Native = JavaScript and JSX [OK]

Hint: React Native uses JavaScript, Flutter uses Dart [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Flutter's Dart with React Native's JavaScript
• Thinking React Native uses native languages like Swift
• Assuming JSX is a separate language

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a button in Flutter?

easy

A. <TouchableOpacity>Click</TouchableOpacity>

B. Button(title: 'Click')

C. <Button title='Click' />

D. ElevatedButton(onPressed: () {}, child: Text('Click'))

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Flutter widget syntax

   Flutter uses Dart and widgets like ElevatedButton with named parameters.

2. Step 2: Identify correct button syntax

   ElevatedButton(onPressed: () {}, child: Text('Click')) uses ElevatedButton with onPressed callback and child Text widget, which is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   ElevatedButton(onPressed: () {}, child: Text('Click')) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Flutter buttons use widgets with callbacks [OK]

Hint: Flutter buttons use widgets with onPressed callback [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using JSX or HTML-like syntax in Flutter
• Omitting onPressed callback in Flutter button
• Confusing React Native TouchableOpacity with Flutter widgets

3. What will be the output of this React Native code snippet?

import React from 'react';
import { Text, View } from 'react-native';

export default function App() {
  return (
    
      Hello from React Native!
    
  );
}

medium

A. A screen displaying the text: Hello from React Native!

B. A blank screen with no text

C. Syntax error due to missing import

D. App crashes on launch

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the React Native component

   The component returns a View containing a Text element with the string 'Hello from React Native!'.

2. Step 2: Understand rendering behavior

   React Native renders the View and Text properly, so the text will appear on screen.

3. Final Answer:

   A screen displaying the text: Hello from React Native! -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   React Native renders JSX as UI [OK]

Hint: React Native JSX renders UI elements directly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking View or Text won't render without styles
• Assuming missing styles cause crash
• Confusing React Native with web React

4. Identify the error in this Flutter code snippet:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        body: Text('Hello Flutter'),
      ),
    );
  }
}

medium

A. Missing @override annotation before build method

B. build method should return a Widget but returns void

C. Missing const keyword before MaterialApp

D. build method lacks override keyword and is missing @override

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Flutter build method requirements

   In Flutter, the build method should have the @override annotation to indicate it overrides a superclass method.

2. Step 2: Identify missing annotation

   The code lacks the @override annotation before the build method, which is a recommended practice to avoid errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing @override annotation before build method -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Flutter build methods need @override annotation [OK]

Hint: Always add @override before build in Flutter widgets [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring missing @override annotation warnings
• Confusing const keyword necessity
• Thinking build returns void instead of Widget

5. You want to build a mobile app with highly customized UI components and smooth animations. Which framework is generally better suited for this need?

hard

A. React Native, because it uses native UI components by default

B. Flutter, because it offers more control over custom UI and animations

C. React Native, because it compiles to native ARM code

D. Flutter, because it uses JavaScript and JSX for UI

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand UI customization capabilities

   Flutter renders its own widgets and provides extensive control over UI and animations, allowing highly customized designs.

2. Step 2: Compare with React Native's approach

   React Native uses native UI components, which can limit deep customization and complex animations compared to Flutter.

3. Final Answer:

   Flutter, because it offers more control over custom UI and animations -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Flutter = better custom UI and animations [OK]

Hint: Flutter excels in custom UI and animations [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming React Native compiles to native ARM code
• Confusing Flutter's language as JavaScript
• Thinking native UI always means better customization