Introduction to React Native

React Native allows for native mobile apps using JavaScript and React. Unlike webview-based tools, it renders with native components, improving performance and feel. It's maintained by Facebook and has a large community.

Expo is an open-source platform for React Native. It simplifies development by providing a set of tools and services. With Expo, you can build, deploy, and quickly iterate on iOS, Android, and web apps.

React Native's 'Hot Reloading' allows developers to see code changes in real-time without rebuilding the app. This feature accelerates the development process by saving time on recompilation.

While React Native covers many native components, for additional functionality, you can access native modules. This means you can write code in native languages, providing full platform capabilities.

Expo offers a managed workflow providing a set of tools that abstract over complex tasks. This allows beginners to avoid dealing with native code, making the initial learning curve much smoother.

React Native's 'bridge' concept lets you integrate custom native code. This is invaluable for adding features not available through existing components or when optimizing performance for critical app sections.

React Native's performance is typically strong, but it can lag behind pure native apps for intensive tasks. Strategies like optimizing state management and using native modules can help close the gap.