You’re invited to join us for a FREE React Native Primer workshop! Learn the fundamentals and get hands-on training to build your own mobile app with this growing, cross-platform framework used by Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Tesla, Skype, and more.

Airship will host and instruct this free introductory workshop — open for developers of ALL skill levels*. It’s our way of giving back to the Birmingham tech community we love!!

Attendees can participate in-person or remotely. Please register and tell us how you’ll be attending for further must-know instructions.

Date: Sat., Nov. 11, 2017

Sat., Nov. 11, 2017 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: 2829 2nd Avenue S, STE 340, Birmingham, AL 35233 (Pepper Place – Dr. Pepper Building)

This event was previously held on Nov. 11. Registration now closed.

Pre-requisites:

Bring your laptop (MacBook preferred)

Bring your mobile device (iOS or Android)

Download Expo XDE on your laptop and the Expo app on your mobile device (iOS or Android)

Github login (so you can access code and sample data when building your app)

*NOTE: Developers of all skill levels are invited, but we do recommend having a basic understanding of JavaScript to get the most out of the workshop. If you need to get up to speed, we suggest completing an online course beforehand. We like this free one by Codecademy.

Key Takeaways

Write JavaScript using the most up to date syntax and standards as needed and used by the framework

Understand the differences between React Native & other hybrid app frameworks

Build responsive user interfaces for both iOS and Android platforms

Style components, including understanding Flexbox & React Native styling

Import and use external libraries into a React Native project

Target individual platforms at compile time for platform-specific integration

Implement basic animations using React Native APIs

Build and run applications in both simulator and device environments

Agenda

Airship Builders will be leading the workshop, blending lectures + step-by-step guidance as you build your own app with React Native. Get a printable version of our workshop overview here.

Part 0 – Welcome

Discuss Airship’s experience with React Native

How we’ve used it, why we love it, and why we are committed to it!

Part 1 – Intro to React Native

Detail how it’s different from other hybrid app frameworks and the pros/cons

Define need-to-know concepts and fundamentals to create an app

Provide basics of Expo and how to use

Discuss troubleshooting and must-have tools

Part 2 – React Native Components

Demonstrate new and commonly-used ES6/ES7 features

Explain basics of JSX

Define React Native Components and which ones are key

Define React Component Lifecycle methods and their roles

Part 3 – Building & Styling First Screen

Outline the app features and start building your first screen!

Discuss the similarities and differences between React Native and CSS

Walk through styling properties and layout with Flexbox

Walk through adding views and connecting with sample data

Part 4 – Refactor & Build App