Older versions (leaves this page)
React Native RN C++ C++

Native Modules Overview

Like Facebook React Native, You.i Platform lets you write real native code and bind it to JavaScript, extending the functionality of your React Native application.

You.i React Native native modules use <youireact/NativeModule.h> and a set of macros such as YI_RN_EXPORT_NAME to bridge from C++ to JavaScript. Depending on your needs, your You.i React Native native module can bridge all the way from platform-specific code up to JavaScript.

Note: The macros used to bind native modules are different in You.i Platform and Facebook React Native. This means that You.i React Native native modules can’t be used with Facebook React Native applications, and Facebook RN native modules can’t be used directly with You.i Platform.

Read more about native module types below, or get a start on writing your own.

Pre-Built RN Native Modules

Made for You.i Platform

You.i Platform comes with some built-in native modules such as FormFactor and FairPlay DRM. Our native modules work across all platforms that we support. You can use any of these modules directly, as they’re included in the @youi/react-native-youi namespace.

import {
  FormFactor
} from '@youi/react-native-youi';

Similarly, other pre-built You.i React Native native modules (built specifically for You.i Platform from third parties or other groups at your organization can be directly imported and used in your code. Simply configure the correct namespace in your project’s package.json file and import the desired components.

Be sure to test the native module on all platforms you intend to support. Some third-party native modules may only be applicable to specific platforms.

Third-Party RN Native Modules

You may find there’s functionality you want to add to your application that isn’t part of the usual React Native or You.i Platform offering. Unfortunately, most third-party RN native modules aren’t supported as-is. The decorators used by Facebook to cast and translate types between languages aren’t supported in You.i Platform.

If you have the source for a native module, you may be able to use it to help you write your own following the instructions for open source modules below.

Be aware that third-party libraries (such as iOS .framework files or .jar files from Android) are not the same as native modules. These libraries can be linked into your project, then bridged using the processes described in Write a You.i React Native Native Module..

Open Source RN Native Modules

As with pre-built RN native modules, only those created specifically for You.i Platform are supported.

If you have the source code for a generic RN native module, you may be able to convert it.

  1. Replace all the Facebook RCTConvert decorators with your own code that does the translations.
  2. Follow the instructions in Write a You.i React Native Native Module to convert the code from using RCT_EXPORT* macros to YI_RN_EXPORT* macros for binding with JavaScript.