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. These types are used to represent elements in React applications, but understanding when to use each one can be confusing. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between JSX.Element, ReactNode, and ReactElement and discuss their appropriate use cases.

JSX.Element

JSX.Element is the type used to represent a React element created using JSX syntax. It is the result of transpiling JSX code into JavaScript. JSX.Element is the most commonly used type when working with React components.

Here’s an example of JSX.Element:

{`const element = 
Hello, JSX.Element!
;`}

JSX.Element is used when you want to create a React component using JSX syntax. It provides type safety and enables better tooling support, such as autocompletion and error checking.

ReactNode

ReactNode is a type that represents any valid React node. It can be a JSX.Element, a string, a number, a boolean, an array of React nodes, or null/undefined. ReactNode is a more generic type compared to JSX.Element and can be used when you need to handle different types of React nodes.

Here’s an example of ReactNode:

{`type MyComponentProps = {
  children: ReactNode;
};

const MyComponent = ({ children }: MyComponentProps) => {
  return 
{children}
;
};`}

In the above example, the MyComponent component accepts children of type ReactNode, which allows it to render any valid React node.

ReactElement

ReactElement is a type that represents a React element created using React.createElement. It is a lower-level API compared to JSX.Element and is rarely used directly in modern React applications.

Here’s an example of ReactElement:

{`const element = React.createElement('div', null, 'Hello, ReactElement!');`}

ReactElement is used when you want to create React elements programmatically without using JSX syntax. It provides more flexibility but requires manual configuration of props and children.

Conclusion

In summary, JSX.Element is used when creating React components using JSX syntax, ReactNode is used when handling different types of React nodes, and ReactElement is used when creating React elements programmatically without JSX. Understanding the differences between these types will help you choose the appropriate one for your specific use case.