Your Users Type Faster Than Your JavaScript. React Native Drops the Difference

This story was originally published on HackerNoon at: https://hackernoon.com/your-users-type-faster-than-your-javascript-react-native-drops-the-difference. Why React Native TextInput drops characters when you type fast: the eventCount handshake that does it on purpose, the source behind it, and the fix. Check more stories related to programming at: https://hackernoon.com/c/programming. You can also check exclusive content about #react-native, #ios-development, #javascript, #objective-c, #react-native-eventcount, #chat-app-optimization, #controlled-input-performance, #react-native-textinput-bug, and more. This story was written by: @grievouz. Learn more about this writer by checking @grievouz's about page, and for more stories, please visit hackernoon.com. React Native makes TextInput feel controlled, but native owns the text and your JS value is a lagging copy. An eventCount handshake stamps each write; if you typed while JS re-rendered, the counts mismatch and native drops the write on purpose. The leftover dropped characters come from transforms, cursor races, IME resets, and the old architecture. It is worst on a busy chat screen. Fix: keep the keystroke path cheap or go uncontrolled.