React Native: Get UI library installed

[AmasiaNalbandian]

What would you like to be added:
We are just looking to put in the UI libraries

Why would you like this to be added:

[humphd]

See discussion in #2667 (comment) cc @Kevan-Y

[LuigiZaccagnini]

I like Native Base because it offers a lot more UI components. Was wondering what @Kevan-Y @tpmai22 and @AmasiaNalbandian think?

[Kevan-Y]

Native Base seems to be a good choice for me since, it has a lot of components and customization

[AmasiaNalbandian]

I'm liking it too actually. Seems to have the basics.

[AmasiaNalbandian]

@aserputov @dbelokon You're up! @menghif shipped in his expo PR this morning! I think we should add the Native Base as @LuigiZaccagnini recommended! 👍

[aserputov]

@dbelokon we need to find another library.

[tpmai22]

@aserputov any reason for that ?

[aserputov]

As @tpmai22 said, let's try React Native Elements

[dbelokon]

As @tpmai22 said, let's try React Native Elements

So, we are going with React Native Elements? I am not sure what the reason for it, since @tpmai22 was also wondering for the reason.

[humphd]

This hasn't been communicated well in the issue. Today @aserputov, @menghif, and I tried to integrate Native Base UI into our tree, and it's not possible. They seem to have bugs with the current version of React Native. Because we had an alternative choice, we thought to try that instead.

However, it others can make Native Base UI work, we're happy to take the PR. We just got stuck on getting something in for 2.6, and wanted to push forward.

Let us know what you'd like to do.

@aserputov this would have been good to put in the issue so others knew what was happening.

[aserputov]

@humphd can't agree more, my bad. That's a much better way than texting everybody explanations on slack

[JerryHue]

To bring forward some discussions before finally choosing the UI Library, I would like to mention three possible options:

• React Native Elements
• React Native Paper
• React Native UI Kitten

I went through the package.json files for these projects, so there shouldn't be a dependency issue like the one present in NativeBase.

In my opinion, I would choose React Native UI Kitten because it looks aesthetically pleasing. I know that my judgment is not factoring things like usability or elements offered, so I would like to hear other points of view.

[humphd]

I'd suggest you consider maintenance, and popularity:

https://www.npmtrends.com/react-native-elements-vs-react-native-paper-vs-react-native-ui-kitten

Based on that, I'd suggest React Native Elements.

[dbelokon]

I'd suggest you consider maintenance, and popularity:

https://www.npmtrends.com/react-native-elements-vs-react-native-paper-vs-react-native-ui-kitten

Based on that, I'd suggest React Native Elements.

I think the npm package for UI Kitten is @ui-kitten/components. A more accurate graph would be https://www.npmtrends.com/@ui-kitten/components-vs-native-base-vs-react-native-elements.

In my opinion, react native paper is a good option, because it was updated a month ago, even though it was created 5 years ago. It is also very close to react native elements in terms of popularity.

[humphd]

You all decide, just pick something that won't go unmaintained next year when you leave me with a bunch of code...

[Kevan-Y]

Let's go with React Native Elements. This package is maintained, I think it will last long.

[dbelokon]

I will be following up with a PR soon!