NativeScript 8.8 , the latest version of the popular framework for building native mobile applications using JavaScript, introduces a range of exciting features, including full support for Apple’s M1 chip and the Webpack 5 module bundler. This release brings significant improvements for developers looking to leverage the power of Apple’s new system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology, which has replaced Intel processors in the latest Mac models. With the M1’s performance advantages, NativeScript 8.8 enhances the development experience, particularly for those using macOS.
In addition to Apple M1 support, NativeScript 8.8 integrates Webpack 5, which was released in October 2020. Webpack 5 focuses on performance optimizations, such as persistent caching, and offers better compatibility with the web platform. NativeScript’s integration with Webpack 5 simplifies configuration, making it easier for developers to bundle their applications efficiently and take advantage of Webpack’s improvements in speed and scalability.
Beyond these core updates, NativeScript 8.8 also delivers several new features and enhancements aimed at improving development productivity and app functionality. Among the key additions is support for CSS box-shadow and text-shadow, allowing developers to easily add shadow effects around elements and text. A new layout container, <RootLayout>, extends from GridLayout and offers new APIs for dynamic view creation and layering, enhancing the flexibility of UI design.
Additional updates include the introduction of the @nativescript/debug-ios package, which provides tools for debugging iOS apps, as well as plug-ins for Apple Pay and Google Pay to facilitate mobile payment integration. Developers can also take advantage of a hidden binding property for performance optimizations in specific use cases. Other improvements include a NativeScript Best Practices Guide and an ESLint plug-in that provides rules for linting JavaScript code within the NativeScript environment. These updates make NativeScript 8.8 an even more powerful and user-friendly tool for building high-performance mobile applications.