Why is it called react-native-windows?

[Deltaxel]

Hello

I'm a bit confused on what is the end goal for this package.
From the name, I would expect it to be for building apps for windows.
However, it also support Mac.
And so far, it's only desktop apps (technically, windows is not only on desktop).

Why is it not called react-native-desktop since it does desktop apps for multiple platforms?
Why is there a Mac support? (it's cool, not a complain, genuinely curious)
Is the Mac support using some hack where it is still a UWP app and that's why it is supported?
Is Linux going to be added too?

Best regards

[DanielSRS]

From the name, I would expect it to be for building apps for windows.

Why is it not called react-native-desktop since it does desktop apps for multiple platforms?

This repo only supports windows platforms.

However, it also support Mac.

react-native-macos lives in its own repo. Check here https://github.com/microsoft/react-native-macos

And so far, it's only desktop apps (technically, windows is not only on desktop).

React native windows should support all Windows family of devices, including: desktop, mobile, and Xbox, as well as Windows IoT, Surface Hub, and HoloLens. as described:

• here https://devblogs.microsoft.com/ise/creating-universal-windows-apps-with-react-native/
• and here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/get-started/?tabs=cpp-win32%2Cnet-maui#react-native-for-desktop

But I am not sure if this stays true for the new fabric renderer built on top of Windows App SDK rather than UWP.

Someone from RNW team could clarify that

Is the Mac support using some hack where it is still a UWP app and that's why it is supported?

No, it uses Appkit, the framework for building graphical interfaces for macOS apps

Why is there a Mac support? (it's cool, not a complain, genuinely curious)

Microsoft uses react native on a lot of its products (like MS office) including on macos. thats probably why (I am not an MS employee)