Error: Failed to load plugin ‘prettier’ declared in ‘.eslintrc.js » @react-native-community/eslint-config’: Cannot find module ‘eslint-plugin-prettier’ Require stack: in Facebook React Native

Explanation of the problem

An error related to eslint settings is being thrown after installing react-native using npx in Webstorm. The installation of prettier alone did not resolve the issue.

Environment: The installed version of React Native is 0.65.1 and the system information is as follows:

System: OS: macOS 11.5.2 
CPU: (8) arm64 Apple M1 
Memory: 179.45 MB / 16.00 GB 
Shell: 5.8 - /bin/zsh 
Binaries: 
Node: 16.8.0 - /opt/homebrew/bin/node 
Yarn: Not Found 
npm: 7.21.0 - /opt/homebrew/bin/npm 
Watchman: 2021.08.30.00 - /opt/homebrew/bin/watchman 
Managers: 
CocoaPods: 1.11.0 - /opt/homebrew/bin/pod 
SDKs: 
iOS SDK: 
Platforms: iOS 14.5, DriverKit 20.4, macOS 11.3, tvOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4 
Android SDK: Not Found 
IDEs: 
Android Studio: Arctic Fox 2020.3.1 Patch 2 Arctic Fox 2020.3.1 Patch 2 
Xcode: 12.5.1/12E507 - /usr/bin/xcodebuild 
Languages: 
Java: Not Found 
npmPackages: 
@react-native-community/cli: Not Found 
react: 17.0.2 => 17.0.2 
react-native: 0.65.1 => 0.65.1 
react-native-macos: Not Found 
npmGlobalPackages: 
react-native: Not Found

Reproduction Steps:

1. Run the following command: npx react-native some
2. Open the app in Webstorm.

Expected Results: No errors should be shown.

The configuration of the app created with npx has not been altered.

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Problem solution for Error: Failed to load plugin ‘prettier’ declared in ‘.eslintrc.js » @react-native-community/eslint-config’: Cannot find module ‘eslint-plugin-prettier’ Require stack: in Facebook React Native

The error in question is related to peer dependencies in npm packages. A peer dependency is a type of package dependency that is required by a package to function correctly, but it does not need to be installed as a standalone package. It is a shared dependency between two packages. In npm version >=7, the way peer dependencies are handled has changed, which can cause compatibility issues with older packages.

It is essential to keep npm and its packages up-to-date, as each new version can bring new features and improvements. However, with each update, there may be some compatibility issues that need to be resolved. In this case, the issue is related to peer dependencies in npm >=7, which might not be compatible with older packages. As a result, the error is thrown in the application.

The proposed solution to resolve the error is to install the dependencies in the old npm 4-6 mode. This can be achieved by following these steps:

1. Removing the node_modules and package-lock.json directories.
2. Running the command npm install --legacy-peer-deps

By installing the dependencies in the old npm mode, it ensures that any compatibility issues are resolved, and the error related to peer dependencies should no longer occur. It is important to note that this solution may not work for all cases and should only be considered if the issue is related to peer dependencies in npm >=7.

Other popular problems with React Native

Problem: Compatibility Issues with Native Modules

React Native enables developers to use JavaScript to build mobile apps for iOS and Android platforms. However, there may be some features or functionality that require native code for a better performance. This is where native modules come into play. However, these native modules may not always be compatible with the latest version of React Native, leading to compatibility issues.

Solution:

The solution to resolve compatibility issues with native modules is to ensure that the native modules are compatible with the latest version of React Native. This can be achieved by either upgrading the native modules or finding alternative modules that are compatible. In some cases, it may also be necessary to rewrite the native modules in a different language, such as Swift or Java, to ensure compatibility.

// Example code to check the version of the React Native package
import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { Platform, Text } from 'react-native';

export default class App extends Component {
  render() {
    return (
      <Text>
        React Native version: {Platform.OS} {Platform.Version}
      </Text>
    );
  }
}

Problem: Debugging and Testing

Debugging and testing are crucial steps in the development process, especially for React Native apps that need to run on multiple platforms. However, React Native has its own set of challenges when it comes to debugging and testing, including issues with hot reloading, testing on multiple devices, and more.

Solution:

There are several tools and solutions available to help with debugging and testing React Native apps. For example, the React Native CLI provides a react-native log-android and react-native log-ios command to help with debugging logs. Additionally, React Native has its own set of testing tools, such as Jest and Detox, to help with testing the app on multiple platforms and devices.

// Example code to test React Native component
import React from 'react';
import { shallow } from 'enzyme';
import MyComponent from './MyComponent';

describe('MyComponent', () => {
  it('renders correctly', () => {
    const wrapper = shallow(<MyComponent />);
    expect(wrapper).toMatchSnapshot();
  });
});

Problem: Performance Issues

Performance is critical for mobile apps, as users expect a smooth and responsive experience. However, React Native apps can sometimes experience performance issues, such as slow rendering times, poor animation performance, and more.

Solution:

There are several steps that can be taken to improve the performance of React Native apps. For example, optimizing the use of resources, such as memory and CPU, can help with overall performance. Additionally, using performance optimization tools, such as the React Native Performance Monitor, can help identify and resolve performance issues in the app.

// Example code to use the React Native Performance Monitor
import React, { useEffect } from 'react';
import { usePerformanceMonitor } from 'react-native-performance-monitor';

const MyApp = () => {
  usePerformanceMonitor();

  return (
    // Your app components here
  );
};

export default MyApp;

A brief introduction to React Native

React Native is an open-source framework that allows developers to build native mobile applications using JavaScript and React. It was initially released in 2015 by Facebook and has since grown to become a popular choice for building cross-platform mobile apps. React Native leverages the React library to build UI components, but instead of running the code in a web view like React, React Native runs the code directly on the native platform. This allows React Native apps to have the same look and feel as native apps, while also providing the benefits of using a single codebase for multiple platforms.

React Native uses native components that are specific to the operating system they are running on, rather than relying on web components. This means that React Native apps can interact with the underlying device hardware, such as the camera, GPS, and accelerometer, just like native apps. React Native also provides a bridge between the JavaScript code and native platform, enabling developers to use third-party libraries or to access platform-specific APIs that are not available in React. This makes it possible to build high-performance apps that can take advantage of platform-specific features, while still using a common codebase for both iOS and Android.

Most popular use cases for React Native

1. Building Cross-Platform Mobile Applications: React Native allows developers to build native mobile apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase, saving time and effort compared to developing separate apps for each platform. This makes it an attractive choice for organizations that want to reach a wider audience without incurring the cost of developing and maintaining two separate apps.
2. Prototyping and Rapid Development: React Native’s ability to use hot reloading helps speed up the development process. Hot reloading allows developers to see changes they make to the app in real-time, without having to recompile and reload the entire app. This speeds up the development process, making it easier for developers to experiment and iterate on their designs.
3. Access to Native Features and Functionality: React Native enables developers to access native features and functionality of the underlying device, such as the camera, GPS, accelerometer, and more, directly from the JavaScript code. This provides developers with a lot of flexibility in building high-performance apps that take advantage of platform-specific features and functionality. For example, the following code block demonstrates how to access the device’s camera in React Native and take a picture:

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { Button, Image, View } from 'react-native';
import * as ImagePicker from 'expo-image-picker';

const App = () => {
  const [image, setImage] = useState(null);

  const pickImage = async () => {
    const result = await ImagePicker.launchCameraAsync({
      mediaTypes: ImagePicker.MediaTypeOptions.Images,
      allowsEditing: true,
      aspect: [4, 3],
    });

    if (!result.cancelled) {
      setImage(result.uri);
    }
  };

  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center' }}>
      <Button title="Pick an image from camera roll" onPress={pickImage} />
      {image && <Image source={{ uri: image }} style={{ width: 200, height: 200 }} />}
    </View>
  );
};

export default App;