React Native is kind of broken (they NEED to fix this)

What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled inputs in React Native?

In React Native, inputs can be managed in two ways: controlled and uncontrolled.

Controlled Inputs:

• Managed by React.
• The value is tied to a component's state.
• It requires onChange handlers to update the state with every user input.
• React determines what appears in the input field, impacting performance if updates are slow.

Uncontrolled Inputs:

• Managed by the browser.
• React is unaware of the current value until it's needed, typically just before submission.
• Does not require state updates for every keystroke, as the browser handles input natively.
• Tends to be faster since the browser controls input changes directly.

Performance Impact:

• Controlled inputs can cause lag due to continuous state updates, affecting user experience.
• Uncontrolled inputs generally perform better with real-time typing, as they bypass React’s rendering cycle.

Understanding these differences helps developers choose the best method based on their app’s performance needs.

Why are controlled inputs problematic in React Native?

Controlled inputs in React Native cause several issues, one being lagging. When text is rapidly entered, these inputs can fail to keep up as React continually updates state.

Real-world apps suffer from this, causing key press delays. Another significant problem is cursor misplacement. Users typing fast may notice the cursor jumping unexpectedly. It often moves to previous positions, disrupting the flow and making typing cumbersome.

In practice, this means encountering glitches where the text and cursor behave unexpectedly, leading developers to second-guess their choice of tools.

Notably, the inconsistency becomes a prominent issue when applications rely heavily on text input fields, highlighting inherent drawbacks in React Native's handling of controlled inputs. This example emphasizes the urgency in addressing performance roadblocks and maintaining efficiency in app development.

How can developers mitigate issues with controlled inputs?

Developers facing issues with controlled inputs in React Native can apply several strategies to mitigate these problems:

• Use Uncontrolled Inputs: Opt for uncontrolled inputs where possible. They bypass React’s state management, leading to better performance.

• Implement React Hook Form: This library efficiently manages uncontrolled inputs, allowing you to extract updated states when needed without causing lags.

• Apply Default Values: Instead of setting value directly, use defaultValue to sidestep continuous state updates. This approach can reduce latency.

• Optimize Re-Renders: Limit unnecessary re-renders by using React.memo or similar techniques. Reducing re-renders helps maintain input performance.

• Debounce State Updates: Apply debouncing strategies to state updates to control the frequency of changes. This method can smoothen the user experience when typing quickly.

Each of these strategies can help in boosting performance during React Native app development, ensuring that inputs remain responsive and user-friendly.

What are the community's reactions to these issues?

The React Native community has expressed strong concerns regarding the problems with controlled inputs. Many developers, including notable figures like Dan Abramov, have voiced their frustrations. Dan, known for his contributions to React, stated, "Basic controlled text editing is broken in React Native." He highlighted that even simple "hello world" examples suffer from severe input lag and cursor misplacement, which he regards as inexcusable.

Another developer echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment over React Native's perceived inability to produce high-quality apps due to these persistent bugs. These issues have sparked discussions about React Native's future and its capacity to maintain app performance. Developers are now considering alternative strategies and tools to mitigate these issues effectively while waiting for official fixes from the React Native team.

What steps are being taken to address these issues?

Efforts to resolve the React Native controlled inputs issues are underway. The community and teams are taking action to address this challenge.

• Acknowledgment: Key figures like Dan Abramov have highlighted these issues, stressing the need for prioritization.

• Community Support: There's a significant push from developers for the React Native team to focus on fixing controlled input bugs.

• Proposals and Revisions: A pull request has been submitted to discourage the use of controlled inputs until a fix is available. It emphasizes using default values and uncontrolled inputs as alternatives.

• Official Response: Feedback from influential members indicates that the React Native team acknowledges the severity and is committing to corrective measures.

The collaboration between community voices and the React Native team shows promise for future improvements and optimizations. The main goal is to ensure that the apps developed using React Native meet high standards in performance and usability.