What's your process for selecting React Native components for mobile apps?

1 Define your requirements

Before you start browsing for components, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your app. What are the main features, user flows, and design guidelines? What are the performance, compatibility, and security expectations? What are the trade-offs you are willing to make? Having a well-defined list of requirements will help you narrow down your options and avoid wasting time on components that don't fit your needs.

2 Search for components

When you have your requirements, you can start looking for components that match them. The official React Native directory is a great place to start, as it lists hundreds of components by category, popularity, quality, and compatibility. You can also search on npm, GitHub, and other platforms using keywords, filters, and tags related to your requirements. It might be beneficial to ask other developers for recommendations on social media, forums, or online communities dedicated to React Native. If you have the skills and resources, you can even create your own custom components.

3 Evaluate the components

After you have a list of potential components, you need to evaluate them carefully to determine if they meet your requirements and expectations. To do this, consider the documentation of the component. Is it well-documented with clear instructions, examples, and troubleshooting tips? Also, evaluate the maintenance of the component. Is it updated often and does it have active contributors and a responsive maintainer? Additionally, check the compatibility of the component with different versions of React Native, platforms, devices, and libraries. Furthermore, assess the quality of the component. Is it reliable, efficient, and secure? Are there any bugs, errors or vulnerabilities? Furthermore, consider how easy it is to customize the component to fit your app's design and functionality. Does it offer enough props, styles, and hooks? Finally, take into account the license terms and conditions of using the component. Are there any restrictions or obligations?

4 Test the components

Before you decide to use a component in your app, you should test it thoroughly to ensure it works properly in different scenarios and environments. This can be done by running the components on a simulator or real device with various screen sizes, orientations, and network conditions. Additionally, you should check the performance, memory usage, and battery consumption using tools like React Native Debugger or Flipper. Furthermore, review the code quality, readability, and modularity using tools like ESLint or Prettier. Finally, compare the features, functionality, and user experience with other similar components using tools like React Native Showcase or Expo Snack.

5 Choose the components

Once you have tested the components, you can choose the ones that best suit your app. However, there are some best practices to keep in mind when using third-party components. For example, you should avoid using too many components, as they can lead to an increase in the app's size, complexity, and dependencies. Additionally, use the latest versions of the components and update them regularly to prevent compatibility issues and security risks. Furthermore, follow the component's documentation and guidelines and report any issues or feedback to the maintainers. Lastly, give credit and support to the component's creators by acknowledging them, donating to them, or contributing to their projects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?