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 1Get your own React.js Server
JSX:
const myElement = <h1>I Love JSX!</h1>;
const root = ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById('root'));
root.render(myElement);
Run Example »
Example 2
Without JSX:
const myElement = React.createElement('h1', {}, '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 = <h1>React is {5 + 5} times better with JSX</h1>;
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 = (
<ul>
<li>Apples</li>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Cherries</li>
</ul>
);
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 = (
<div>
<p>I am a paragraph.</p>
<p>I am a paragraph too.</p>
</div>
);
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 = (
<>
<p>I am a paragraph.</p>
<p>I am a paragraph too.</p>
</>
);
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 = <input type="text" />;
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 = <h1 className="myclass">Hello World</h1>;
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 = <h1>{text}</h1>;
Run Example »
Option 2:
Use ternary expressions instead:
Example
Write "Hello" if x is less than 10, otherwise "Goodbye":
const x = 5;
const myElement = <h1>{(x) < 10 ? "Hello" : "Goodbye"}</h1>;
Run Example »
Note that in order to embed a JavaScript expression inside JSX, the JavaScript must be wrapped with
curly braces, {}.
