I understand that react-native link (see post) is an automatic way to install native dependencies. The post above explain how to use the link command but lacking the detail of when to use it. Should it be used after adding a component, every code change or after introducing new module to the app?
Why we use react-native-link??
In this post, I will explain why we use react native link command and when we need to use this command or not?
First, we will understand what is native module??
Native Modules
Native modules are usually distributed as npm packages, apart from the typical javascript files and resources they will contain an Android and ios library project.
React Native provides an impressive amount of native modules that give you direct access to core platform APIs on both Android and IOS.
For example react-native-maps, react-native-firebase, react-native-socketio etc.
These modules or packages contained both platform (Android and Ios) code.
Now coming on to the react native link
Those libraries which are use native code, in that case you'll have to add these files to your app. For linking those library with react native code need to run react-native-link
Here are the few steps to link your libraries that contain native code
Automatic linking
Step 1
Install a library with native dependencies:
$ npm install --save
Step 2
Link your native dependencies:
$ react-native link
Done! All libraries with native dependencies should be successfully linked to your iOS/Android project.
Where we don't use react-native-link??
Those components which are only written in javascript they are not using any native code (Android and Ios). There is no need to run react-native-link.
For example rn-modal-picker, react-native-check-box etc.
You should check out this other answer: The use of react-native-link command?
You only need to run react-native link NAME_OF_PACKAGE when you install a new package that has a native codebase, or without arguments if you want to do it for multiple of them.
Related
This is a very basic question I'm sure, but i am working in React Native and have no plans on downloading, installing, or using Expo. There is a styling Framework, Nuton, that was built using Expo, My question, is will I be able to use this Framework without having to start an expo project
I cannot find the specific library Nuton you are referring to, please edit your post and add a link to it for a more detailed answer.
However, to give you a basic understanding:
If you have to use "expo install Nuton" in the command line to add this library to your project, then yes, expo is required in order to use this library.
If you can use "npm install Nuton" then no, expo is not required. However, Nuton's package may have expo components it will install within the library itself. Whether you want to use expo or not should not matter in this case.
I have installed npm install #highcharts/highcharts-react-native in my react native project and i also added the hcscript in metro.config.js file.
Iam getting the error of
Failed to fetch scripts or layout. The method or property expo-file-system.readDirectoryAsync is not available on android, are you sure you've linked all the native dependencies properly?
if you wanted to use this package: #highcharts/highcharts-react-native you should first install react-native-unimodules which is a set of native dependencies used at the core of #highcharts/highcharts-react-native as
they built the package on top of expo not bare react native.
it is going to require you to make heavy edits in the native ios and android files such as appDelegate.m in ios and more alike files.
However, you should notice this package is deprecated as per the official page, and there is no reliable alternative!
my question might be a little bit silly or ambiguous since I am fairly new to react native.
I'm trying to use the following repository for my react-native project https://github.com/smekalka/react-native-universal-pedometer. I have noticed that the repo is implemented in .java with platform folder unlike the regular .js or .ts files I used to see. Is this repository considered native module as react native doc describe?
Or in general how I can tell the whatever lib I am using is a native module.
The project is previously tested are under the support of expo-cli. I experienced the error null is not n object while using this repo. If so, I am probably going to eject the expo-cli and rewrite my code so I can use and even create own native-module for full control, some core implementations that written in other languages or expo-cli does not support.
Yes, the android and ios directories in the repository contain the 'native' code used to implement the platform-specific hooks that the Javascript will be able to pick up. Expo is not able to use these native modules or native code so your assumption is correct; you will need to eject your app in order to use this module.
If your app is below version 0.60 of React Native, after installing the module you will need to run react-native link react-native-universal-pedometer to link the native code to the Javascript runtime. If you're above 0.60, it will link automatically when installed.
I am a newbie and learned react-native expo. I am curious why we can't use any native library with Expo.
For example, if I want to use filesystem on expo I just cant use it, I know expo has it's own file system but I want to use another library but that library requires linking so it is not working in expo. Why is that?
I have tried everything.
This is the library that I want to use ==> https://github.com/itinance/react-native-fs
It requires command : react-native link react-native-fs
How do I do it?
You first have to understand the difference between react-native cli & expo
Please read this documentation to understand the difference
React Native expo uses their own servers to compile your javascript into java and return APK file as a complete APP, and that is the reason you do not need android SDKs or android studio environment on your PC when you are using expo
but when you are using react-native cli you do need the android studio environment such as SDKs, because when you are using cli , it compiles the code using that android studio sdk/environment that you made in your PC that is why you do not need a third party server like expo do.
and thats the reason you get android files right in your react-native project and due to which you can add native modules to it.
However you also have the option to use expo-eject, You can read more about expo-eject in this documentation
Thank You!, Have a great day & welcome to stackoverflow community!.
I'm installing react-native-elements and in the installation guide there is this command:
npm i react-native-vector-icons --save && react-native link react-native-vector-icons
I am curious what this part of the command does and why it is necessary: react-native link react-native-vector-icons
As you might know, React Native allows you to interface with the native APIs of the OS via JavaScript. In order to establish this interface, some configuration is required in the native side (linking libraries, adding search paths and assets...), and since this process is relatively repetitive and can be automated, the RN folks made the link command in order to set up modules with native code more easily. In the case of React Native Vector Icons, it will add the font files and other configuration to your project, for both Android and iOS.