Have you ever noticed an app that you can also view on a browser and install on your mobile too? We use some apps every day without knowing they are progressive web apps and built with react.js like Twitter, Flipkart, and Uber.

The design and development team knows what magic happens when these two best technologies meet. Mobile app development becomes fast and very secure with PWA and React.

What is a Progressive Web Application?

A web app that appears like a native app is a Progressive Web Application, commonly called PWA. The dynamic technology of PWA has made it very popular among developers.

Features of PWA

• PWA behaves can be installed like native apps
• Run-on all platforms and operating systems
• Such apps can work both online and offline
• It is dynamic in nature and has an excellent performance
• Push notifications to re-engage users with web apps make them very productive

What makes your app progressive?

• Using HTTPS and a secured network makes your app trusted.
• PWAs should have service workers at least 1-2. The service workers make users control web browsers handle network requests and asset caching. These also help form a better offline experience, fast-loading web pages, reliable.
• The inclusion of a manifest file, a JSON file, is essential for the app’s appearance to end-users. Manifest file includes URL, icon, design details, etc.

Defining React

React is used primarily to build a single-page app. It is an efficient, flexible javascript library to create user interface components that we want to see on the screen.

Image compressor, Snapshot, BMI calculator are some react js examples.

Features of React.js

It is faster than javascript; hence creating templates is easy.

The existence of virtual dom makes manipulating the virtual dom faster as it is lightweight.

Data binding is one way that helps in having significant control over the application.

Building component like building blocks makes creating UI an easy task. All different blocks can form a single part of UI later.

Why Create React App?

For Progressive Web App Development, you need a JavaScript framework but choosing ReactJS for building PWA is a wiser idea because making in react, the web application is faster, simple and high in performance.

Making PWA With React in 3 steps

Begin the work with getting the node and Create React App tool installed in your system. Install react tool, and then after you need a code editor. Now let’s get do the actual work.

Step 1 – Configuring the manifest: The first step is creating the manifest for PWA. As described in the above section, the PWA manifest is a JSON file containing the application’s file name, icon, and link. JSON file indicates the browser about your PWA. Except for Safari, which partially supports manifest files, all other browsers support manifests. After creating manifest, add it to every page of your application by adding a <link> tag.

Step 2 – Including Service workers: The service worker is a JavaScript file that runs separately from the main browser thread. Service workers let pwa control network requests, get Push Messages, and access cached data offline.

These work on two kinds of API: fetch and cache. The fetch intercepts network requests and modifies the response, and the cache API is browser cache.

Step 3 – Testing: Setup the service worker, and after it is complete, it is time to test. Google provides a tool called lighthouse for testing. One just needs to download the Google Chrome extension and launch screening on your website.

Check the result; if your app is 100% fast and optimized as a PWA, then great! It will show you the issue and solution to improve if it is not.

Summing up:

To conclude, we understand that Progressive web app development becomes faster and much easier with ReactJS, which is why pwa is gaining so much popularity. And the best part of progressive web apps is that you do not need to install the app on the system. The users can view the application via a web browser.

Some react web application examples are Netflix, yahoo mail, Starbucks, tinder, etc. You wish to know more then read our blog on Topmost PWA examples.

App developers also enjoy working on PWAs as it is fun and engaging. React web applications are powerful and highly efficient with PWA technology. Also, react makes it possible to create a responsive and highly engaging world-class web experience on mobile and desktop.

Two powerful technologies PWA and React come together to create highly performant apps!