Understanding AJAX requests in React Native

Web applications have evolved from requiring full-page reloads for user actions to using AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to dynamically update content without page refreshes. AJAX, now a W3C-approved standard, allows for background communication with web servers using JSON, XML, HTML, or raw strings via HTTP. React Native, a cross-platform development framework, supports AJAX through polyfills that utilize platform-specific networking APIs. The text outlines various methods for handling AJAX requests in React Native, including the inbuilt Fetch API, XMLHttpRequest API, and third-party libraries such as Axios, SuperAgent, and Wretch. It also discusses the use of caching libraries like TanStack Query for enhanced performance and usability, covering error handling strategies such as automatic retries and manual retry options. The tutorial provides practical examples of using these tools to create a simple full-stack mobile app, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right approach based on specific application needs and offering insights into improving user experience by managing AJAX errors effectively.