Structuring and Publishing Your React Native Library with Multiple Native Modules

Disclaimer/Disclosure: Some of the content was synthetically produced using various Generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools; so, there may be inaccuracies or misleading information present in the video. Please consider this before relying on the content to make any decisions or take any actions etc. If you still have any concerns, please feel free to write them in a comment. Thank you.
---

Summary: Learn how to structure and publish your `React Native` library, including multiple `native modules`, with this comprehensive guide. Discover the steps involved in `creating a React Native library`, linking with `npm`, and more!
---

Creating and publishing a React Native library can be a robust way to share your reusable code and native functionalities with the developer community. Especially when the library encompasses multiple native modules, the structure and deployment method become crucial. This guide will guide you through the essential steps to successfully create, structure, and publish your React Native library using npm.

How to Create a React Native Library

To kickstart the creation of your React Native library, you can use the create-react-native-library CLI tool. This tool facilitates setting up a new library project with the necessary configurations and file structure. Here’s how to get started:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Create the Library: Use the command to scaffold a new library project.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Structure Your Library: After creating your library, you'll have a default file structure. At this point, you can add your multiple native modules. Organize them in a way that makes sense for your API and usage, ensuring that each module has its proper interface and implementation.

Adding Multiple Native Modules

When your library involves multiple native modules, ensure that:

Define your Module Interfaces: Each module should expose its functionalities using clear interfaces. This can be achieved through JavaScript and native code bindings.

Native Code Implementation: Depending on whether you are using Android or iOS, the native functionalities need to be implemented in the respective languages (Java/Kotlin for Android and Objective-C/Swift for iOS).

Testing Your Library

Before publishing, it's vital to test the library for both its JavaScript and native modules:

Use Jest or a similar testing framework for JavaScript.

For native components, leverage unit tests in the respective native languages, as well as integration tests within a test React Native app.

Publishing Your Library

Once testing is complete, prepare your library for publication:

Build Your Library: Execute the build command. Ensure all necessary assets, native code, and JavaScript files are bundled appropriately.

Publish on npm: The last step is to publish your library using npm:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Maintaining and Versioning

Finally, as with any library you create, regular maintenance and updates are imperative. Utilize semantic versioning in your npm packages to handle version numbers clearly, transitioning through major, minor, and patch updates based on changes made.

In conclusion, structuring and publishing a React Native library with multiple native modules requires following a series of steps from creating the library to ensuring everything is correctly linked and tested before it can be made available on npm. By adhering to these guidelines, you can successfully share your library while also adhering to best practices in React Native development.