Using TypeScript with React Native: Best Practices

TypeScript has rapidly become a favourite among developers for building robust, scalable, and maintainable applications. Combined with React Native, it offers a powerful toolset that enhances the developer experience and leads to higher-quality code. In this article, we’ll explore the best practices for using TypeScript in your React Native projects to maximize efficiency and maintainability.

1. Define Strict Typing for Props and State

One of the key benefits of TypeScript is its ability to define types for component props and states. This ensures that components receive the correct data and reduces runtime errors.

interface ButtonProps {
  title: string;
  onPress: () => void;
  disabled?: boolean;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ title, onPress, disabled = false }) => {
  return (
    <TouchableOpacity onPress={onPress} disabled={disabled}>
      <Text>{title}</Text>
    </TouchableOpacity>
  );
};

In this example, we define the ButtonProps interface to enforce the types for the Button component's props. The disabled prop is optional, with a default value of false.

2. Use React.FC for Functional Components