When to Use Jsx.element Vs Reactnode Vs Reactelement?

When to use JSX.Element vs ReactNode vs ReactElement?

As a JavaScript developer working with React, you may have come across different types like JSX.Element, ReactNode, and ReactElement. Understanding when to use each of these types is crucial for writing clean and maintainable code. In this article, we will explore the differences between JSX.Element, ReactNode, and ReactElement and when to use them.

JSX.Element

JSX.Element is a type in TypeScript that represents a React element. It is the return type of a JSX expression and is used to describe the structure and properties of a component. JSX.Element is a more specific type compared to ReactNode and ReactElement.

Here’s an example of using JSX.Element:

import React from 'react';


const MyComponent = (): JSX.Element => {

  return
Hello, JSX.Element!

; };

In the above example, the MyComponent function returns a JSX.Element, which is the div element with the text “Hello, JSX.Element!”.

ReactNode

ReactNode is a type in TypeScript that represents any valid React node. It can be a JSX.Element, a string, a number, a boolean, an array of ReactNodes, or null/undefined. ReactNode is a more generic type compared to JSX.Element and ReactElement.

Here’s an example of using ReactNode:

import React, { ReactNode } from 'react';


const MyComponent = (): ReactNode => {

  return
Hello, ReactNode!

; };

In the above example, the MyComponent function returns a ReactNode, which is the div element with the text “Hello, ReactNode!”.

ReactElement

ReactElement is a type in TypeScript that represents a React element. It is a more specific type compared to ReactNode but less specific compared to JSX.Element. ReactElement is the type used internally by React to represent elements.

Here’s an example of using ReactElement:

import React, { ReactElement } from 'react';


const MyComponent = (): ReactElement => {

  return
Hello, ReactElement!

; };

In the above example, the MyComponent function returns a ReactElement, which is the div element with the text “Hello, ReactElement!”.

When to use each type?

Now that we understand the differences between JSX.Element, ReactNode, and ReactElement, let’s discuss when to use each type:

JSX.Element: Use JSX.Element when you want to specifically indicate that the return value is a React element. This is useful when defining the return type of a component.
ReactNode: Use ReactNode when the return value can be any valid React node, including JSX elements, strings, numbers, booleans, arrays of ReactNodes, or null/undefined. This is useful when the return value can vary.
ReactElement: Use ReactElement when you want to specifically indicate that the return value is a React element. This is useful when defining the return type of a component.

It’s important to note that JSX.Element and ReactElement are interchangeable in most cases, as JSX.Element is a subtype of ReactElement. However, using JSX.Element is recommended for better type safety.

In conclusion, JSX.Element, ReactNode, and ReactElement are different types in TypeScript that represent React elements. Understanding when to use each type is crucial for writing clean and maintainable code in React applications.

Happy coding!

When to Use Jsx.element Vs Reactnode Vs Reactelement?