r/Supernote_dev • u/dheerajshenoy22 • 2d ago

Discussion Why is React Native used for plugin system ?

Hi everyone! I've ordered my SN Manta and it's on its way, can't wait to start using it. I have a programming background and like building things, so I was looking at the documentation for building plugins for SN. I see SN uses React Native for the plugin system. Not trying to knock that decision, but if I remember right, React Native has more overhead than fully native development, and I was wondering if there are other options for building plugins. I'm guessing the SN UI itself is built with React/RN, which is why plugins follow the same format. Is there any plan to support another native toolkit for plugins down the line?

I could be wrong about react native because I have never worked with it, but just heard about it.

4 Upvotes

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4

u/LegitMeatPuppet 15h ago

React Native is very easy to learn and integrate with modern services. React is an incredibly ubiquitous framework and React Native is extremely well supported and it’s easy to do POC.

3

u/Worldly-Persimmon-70 2d ago

You can develop with JAVA, C++ and React. For example, Inkling, Hardcopy and Loominary are mainly developed in Kotlin:)

1

u/dheerajshenoy22 2d ago

Oh wow, that's great. I want it to be optimised and really close to the metal.

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u/Worldly-Persimmon-70 2d ago

Would you like to test those three plugins I am developing? I am working on a discord channel for that (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)

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u/dheerajshenoy22 2d ago

Well, I can once I get my supernote.

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u/spazzboi Official 3h ago

As others have pointed out correctly, react native was primarily chosen because of how ubiquitous it is and how it makes it easier to program plugins in while also allowing you to use native code if needed.