JSX vs HTML What's the Difference?

JSX and HTML are two markup languages that are commonly used in web development, but they have significant differences that can impact the way your code works. In this blog, we’ll dive into the key differences between JSX and HTML including syntax, structure, and functionality, we’ll also discuss why it matters which markup language you choose and when you should use one over the other. Whether you’re new to web development or an experienced developer, this blog will provide valuable insights into the world of JSX and HTML.

What is JSX?

JSX stands for JavaScript XML and is an extension of the JavaScript Language that allows developers to write HTML-like syntax within JavaScript Code. It is commonly used in React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

It is called JSX, and it is a syntax extension to JavaScript. We recommend using it with React to describe what the UI should look like. JSX may remind you of a template language, but it comes with the full power of JavaScript. (source: React)

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, which is a markup language used to create the structure and content of web pages. It is the standard language for creating web pages and is supported by all web browsers.

Here are some key differences between JSX and HTML:

1. Syntax

JSX uses HTML-like syntax within JavaScript code, Whereas HTML uses its own markup syntax. JSX allows developers to write HTML-like code directly within JavaScript, making it easier to write and maintain UI code.

Example JSX code:

const element = <h1>Hello, World!</h1>;

Example HTML code:

<h1>Hello, World!</h1>

2. Dynamic Content

JSX allows developers to use JavaScript expressions to create dynamic content. Whereas In plain HTML making dynamic content is a bit difficult and needs the help of server-side scripting languages like PHP or JavaScript.

Example JSX code:

const name = "Miraz";
const element = <h1>Hello, {name}!</h1>;

Output: Hello, Miraz!

Example HTML code:

<h1>Hello, <?php echo $name; ?>!</h1>

3. Component-Based

JSX is designed to work with component-based architectures like React, Where UI elements are broken down into reusable components.

HTML is a more traditional approach to UI development, where elements are defined within the HTML document itself.

Example JSX code:

export default function Button({label}) {
    return (<button>{label}</button>);
}

import Button from './button'
 
export default function App() {
    return (
        <div>
            <Button label="Click Me" />
        </div>
    );
}

But In HTML We can not reuse anything

Concluding Thoughts

Both JSX and HTML have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific requirements of the project. Understanding the differences between these languages can help front-end developers make informed decisions about which language to use for their UI development needs.