Deep Dive into Node API in React Native
Article Summary
Node-API is quietly becoming React Native's secret weapon for stable native modules. Here's why it matters more than you think.
Callstack's engineering team breaks down how Node-API works in React Native, explaining the technical architecture that lets native modules stay compatible across JavaScript engine updates. This deep dive covers the bridge between JavaScript and native code without the usual breaking changes.
Key Takeaways
- Node-API provides ABI stability across different JS engines and versions
- Eliminates native module rewrites when upgrading React Native or switching engines
- Uses opaque pointers to abstract away engine implementation details
- Enables write-once native modules that work across Hermes, V8, and JSC
Critical Insight
Node-API solves the native module compatibility nightmare by creating a stable interface that survives JavaScript engine changes.
