Building in React and React Native: 5 Years Ago & Now

Guests

Anisha Malde

Developer Advocate

Amazon

Aleksandra Desmurs-Linczewska

Software Engineer

Callstack

Host

Jakub Urban

Software Engineer

Callstack

In this episode, we dive into the current state of React and React Native, comparing it to the landscape five years ago. We explore the significant changes, such as the shift to functional components and hooks, the introduction of the Context API, and the evolution of state management. Our guests also share their unique career journeys and offer valuable advice for newcomers in the tech industry, particularly women looking to start or grow in this field.

React and React Native evolutions over the years

Shift from class components to functional components and hooks
Introduction of the Context API
Changes in how state is handled

Our guests' journeys to being professional developer

Career beginnings
Current work

Changes in React and React Native over the past 5 years

Shift from class components to functional components and hooks
Introduction of the Context API
Changes in how state is handled

Comparison of learning React/React Native now vs. 5 years ago

Improved documentation and resources
Importance of learning JavaScript basics first

State management options and trends

Redux, MobX, Zustand, Jotai, Recoil, XState
Rise of minimalistic state management libraries
Categorizing state management libraries

Future of state management in React Native

Potential impact of React Server Components
Possibility of state management solutions that handle performance optimization

Advice for women looking to start or grow in the tech industry

You can start from any background and find your place
Don't be intimidated by the vast options; choose a path and learn
Look for role models and examples of women in senior tech positions
Don't get discouraged if a certain technology doesn't spark joy, keep exploring
Put value on yourself and your work when job-seeking

Anisha's talk on Storybook from React Native EU 2023
Interview with Anisha explaining the roles of a developer advocate
Szymon Rybczak’s talk on using server components for over-the-air updates in React Native‍
Ola's book on state management

Need help with React or React Native projects?

We support teams building scalable apps with React and React Native.

Let’s chat

Insights

Learn more about React

View all

Jun 24Article

Writing Custom Renderers for React

Learn how React renderers work, why RNTL needed a new test renderer, and what it takes to connect React Reconciler to a host environment.

Dec 18Live Stream

Building iOS Live Activities With React: Inside Voltra

Learn how to build iOS Live Activities and Dynamic Island experiences using pure JSX, no Swift or native code required.

Nov 27Podcast

From React Native Web to React Strict DOM

Nicolas Gallagher (Meta) explains how React Strict DOM evolved from React Native Web, providing a shared syntax that compiles to native or web with zero overhead.

Nov 21Podcast

React Foundation: New Governance Model for React and React Native

Seth Webster, Executive Director of the React Foundation, details its new governance model, Meta's role, and how partners like Callstack and Microsoft will ensure stability and scale.

Apr 9Podcast

Exploring TanStack Ecosystem: From React Query to TanStack Start

Tanner Linsley breaks down TanStack’s evolution-from React Query to Start, and why client-first React apps still matter in today’s full-stack landscape.

Feb 20Live Stream

Create React App is Out: Exploring Alternatives & Community Proposals

CRA is now deprecated, so we explore other options for starting web React projects, going through Vite, TanStack Router, Parcel, and Rsbuild to check the developer experience.