Is it mandatory to use JSX in React?

What is JSX?

JSX stands for JavaScript XML.

JSX allows us to write HTML in React.

JSX makes it easier to write and add HTML in React.

Coding JSX

JSX allows us to write HTML elements in JavaScript and place them in the DOM without any createElement()  and/or appendChild() methods.

JSX converts HTML tags into react elements.

You are not required to use JSX, but JSX makes it easier to write React applications.

Here are two examples. The first uses JSX and the second does not:

Example 1

JSX:

const myElement = 
I Love JSX!
;

const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(myElement);

Run Example »

Example 2

Without JSX:

const myElement = React.createElement('h2', {}, 'I do not use JSX!');

const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(myElement);

Run Example »

As you can see in the first example, JSX allows us to write HTML directly within the JavaScript code.

JSX is an extension of the JavaScript language based on ES6, and is translated into regular JavaScript at runtime.

Expressions in JSX

With JSX you can write expressions inside curly braces { }.

The expression can be a React variable, or property, or any other valid JavaScript expression. JSX will execute the expression and return the result:

Example

Execute the expression 5 + 5:

const myElement = 
React is {5 + 5} times better with JSX
;

Run Example »

Inserting a Large Block of HTML

To write HTML on multiple lines, put the HTML inside parentheses:

Example

Create a list with three list items:

const myElement = (
  

    
Apples
    
Bananas
    
Cherries
  
);

Run Example »

One Top Level Element

The HTML code must be wrapped in ONE top level element.

So if you like to write two paragraphs, you must put them inside a parent element, like a div element.

Example

Wrap two paragraphs inside one DIV element:

const myElement = (
  

    
I am a paragraph.
    
I am a paragraph too.
  
);

Run Example »

JSX will throw an error if the HTML is not correct, or if the HTML misses a parent element.

Alternatively, you can use a "fragment" to wrap multiple lines. This will prevent unnecessarily adding extra nodes to the DOM.

A fragment looks like an empty HTML tag: <>.

Example

Wrap two paragraphs inside a fragment:

const myElement = (
  <>
    
I am a paragraph.
    
I am a paragraph too.
  
);

Run Example »

Elements Must be Closed

JSX follows XML rules, and therefore HTML elements must be properly closed.

Example

Close empty elements with />

const myElement = ;

Run Example »

JSX will throw an error if the HTML is not properly closed.

Attribute class = className

The class attribute is a much used attribute in HTML, but since JSX is rendered as JavaScript, and the class keyword is a reserved word in JavaScript, you are not allowed to use it in JSX.

Use attribute className instead.

JSX solved this by using className instead. When JSX is rendered, it translates className attributes into class attributes.

Example

Use attribute className instead of class in JSX:

const myElement = 
Hello World
;

Run Example »

Conditions - if statements

React supports if statements, but not inside JSX.

To be able to use conditional statements in JSX, you should put the if statements outside of the JSX, or you could use a ternary expression instead:

Option 1:

Write if statements outside of the JSX code:

Example

Write "Hello" if x is less than 10, otherwise "Goodbye":

const x = 5;
let text = "Goodbye";
if (x < 10) {
  text = "Hello";
}

const myElement = 
{text}
;

Run Example »

Option 2:

Use ternary expressions instead:

Example

Write "Hello" if x is less than 10, otherwise "Goodbye":

const x = 5;

const myElement = 
{(x) < 10 ? "Hello" : "Goodbye"}
;

Run Example »

Note that in order to embed a JavaScript expression inside JSX, the JavaScript must be wrapped with curly braces, {}.

Test Yourself With Exercises

Exercise:

Render a

element without using JSX.

const paragraph = React.createElement(, {}, 'This is a paragraph without using JSX!');

const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(paragraph);

Start the Exercise

Is JSX necessary for React?

Should all React files be JSX?

Why would you use JSX to create a React application?

Is react native using JSX?