What Is Hermes Android?

Have you ever heard of Hermes Android? If not, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

It’s a relatively new concept in the world of mobile app development. In this article, we’ll explore what Hermes Android is, how it works, and why it matters.

What is Hermes Android?

Hermes Android is a JavaScript engine optimized for running React Native apps on Android devices. It was developed by Facebook to address performance issues that were prevalent in earlier versions of React Native.

How does it work?

Hermes Android works by compiling JavaScript code into bytecode that can be executed directly by the Android operating system. This approach eliminates the need for a JavaScript interpreter, which can cause performance bottlenecks.

When a React Native app is built with Hermes enabled, the JavaScript code is compiled into bytecode during the build process. This bytecode is then included in the app package and loaded directly into memory when the app is launched.

Why does it matter?

The primary benefit of using Hermes Android is improved performance. Since the JavaScript code is compiled into bytecode ahead of time, there’s no delay caused by interpreting the code at runtime. This results in faster startup times and smoother animations and transitions.

Another advantage of using Hermes Android is reduced memory usage. Since there’s no need for a JavaScript interpreter, the overall memory footprint of the app is smaller.

How do I use Hermes Android?

To use Hermes Android in your React Native app, you’ll need to enable it during the build process. Here’s how:

  • Add “hermesEnabled: true” to your app/build.gradle file.
  • Run “gradlew clean” to clear out any previously built artifacts.
  • Rebuild your app using “react-native run-android”.

If everything is set up correctly, you should see a noticeable improvement in performance when running your app.

Conclusion

Hermes Android is an exciting development in the world of mobile app development. By optimizing JavaScript execution on Android devices, it’s possible to create faster, more responsive apps that use less memory. If you’re building a React Native app for Android, enabling Hermes should be at the top of your to-do list.