Is there any downside to using .tsx instead of .ts all the times in typescript?

Is there any downside to using .tsx instead of .ts all the times in TypeScript?

When working with TypeScript, you might have come across files with the .tsx extension. These files are used for writing TypeScript code that includes JSX syntax, which allows you to write HTML-like code within your JavaScript code. While .tsx files are commonly used in React projects, you might wonder if there are any downsides to using .tsx instead of .ts for all your TypeScript files. Let’s explore this question in detail.

Before diving into the downsides, let’s understand the difference between .tsx and .ts files. TypeScript files with the .ts extension are used for writing regular TypeScript code without any JSX syntax. On the other hand, .tsx files are used when you want to include JSX syntax, typically in React components.

1. Performance Impact

One potential downside of using .tsx files instead of .ts files is a slight performance impact. When TypeScript transpiles .tsx files, it needs to transform the JSX syntax into regular JavaScript. This additional transformation step can increase the build time of your project, especially if you have a large codebase with many .tsx files.

However, it’s important to note that the performance impact is generally minimal and might not be noticeable in smaller projects. If performance is a critical concern for your project, you might consider using .ts files for non-JSX code and .tsx files only for components that require JSX syntax.

2. Tooling Support

Another potential downside of using .tsx files is that some tools and editors might not provide full support for TypeScript with JSX. While popular tools like Visual Studio Code have excellent TypeScript support, there might be some edge cases where certain features or plugins don’t work as expected with .tsx files.

However, the TypeScript community is constantly improving tooling support, and most issues are quickly resolved. It’s always a good idea to keep your tools and plugins up to date to ensure a smooth development experience.

3. Codebase Consistency

Using .tsx files instead of .ts files for all TypeScript code might introduce inconsistency in your codebase. If you have a project that uses both .tsx and .ts files, it can be confusing for developers to understand which files contain JSX syntax and which ones don’t.

However, if your project is primarily a React project or heavily relies on JSX syntax, using .tsx files for all TypeScript code can provide consistency and make it easier for developers to identify files that contain JSX code.

Conclusion

While there are some potential downsides to using .tsx files instead of .ts files in TypeScript, they are generally minimal and can be mitigated with proper development practices. If your project heavily relies on JSX syntax or is a React project, using .tsx files for all TypeScript code can provide consistency and make it easier to identify files with JSX code.

However, if performance is a critical concern or you encounter tooling issues with .tsx files, you might consider using .ts files for non-JSX code and .tsx files only for components that require JSX syntax.

Ultimately, the decision between .tsx and .ts files depends on the specific needs and requirements of your project. It’s always a good idea to discuss with your development team and consider the trade-offs before making a decision.