react-native-team

Yes. -Nick

Most of the core React Native team are actually native iOS and Android developers, so it's definitely not that we prefer JavaScript over native code.

The reason we built React was to improve developer efficiency. Building and maintaining wholly separate apps for each platform is hugely inefficient in terms of manpower. And the actual native development process of write/compile/deploy/debug is also slow compared the web approach, where you can just hit refresh after making changes, with no lengthy compile or deploy step.

The reason we chose JavaScript was twofold: Firstly, we already had React JS, and it made sense to re-use that instead of starting over from scratch; and secondly, JS was the only choice if we wanted a system that worked cross platform and supported instant reload and over-the-air code updates. -Nick

Actually that's not quite correct. Apple has stated that they are OK with developers deploying OTA (over-the-air) bug fixes and minor updates to apps in the store without resubmitting, provided that:

• The updates don't significantly change the nature of what was originally submitted for review
• The updated code is executed using the Apple-supplied JavaScriptCore VM

We don't currently provide an OTA update mechanism as part of the open source React Native framework, but the necessary hooks are in place, and there are third party OTA code deployment solutions you can use.

As for whether this would theoretically allow developers to deploy malicious updates? Yes, absolutely it would, and if developers choose to do that, Apple will no doubt take those apps of the store and apply whatever sanctions they deem appropriate. -Nick

React Native is mostly an abstraction around UIKit (on iOS) and the Android view system. If you wanted to build something like an OpenGL game you would probably find that React Native wasn't a great fit, unless you were willing to take the time to build an OpenGL-based replacement for the React Native UIManager (which, FYI, I know some people have done). -Nick

I can't comment on Facebook's future plans, but I did see something on GitHub that seemed promising: https://github.com/ptmt/react-native-desktop

-Alex (a2)