| 1 | --- |
| 2 | title: Prefer Composing Children Over Render Props |
| 3 | impact: MEDIUM |
| 4 | impactDescription: cleaner composition, better readability |
| 5 | tags: composition, children, render-props |
| 6 | --- |
| 7 | |
| 8 | ## Prefer Children Over Render Props |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Use `children` for composition instead of `renderX` props. Children are more |
| 11 | readable, compose naturally, and don't require understanding callback |
| 12 | signatures. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | **Incorrect (render props):** |
| 15 | |
| 16 | ```tsx |
| 17 | function Composer({ |
| 18 | renderHeader, |
| 19 | renderFooter, |
| 20 | renderActions, |
| 21 | }: { |
| 22 | renderHeader?: () |
| 23 | renderFooter?: () |
| 24 | renderActions?: () |
| 25 | }) { |
| 26 | return ( |
| 27 | <form> |
| 28 | {renderHeader?.()} |
| 29 | <Input /> |
| 30 | {renderFooter ? renderFooter |
| 31 | {renderActions?.()} |
| 32 | </form> |
| 33 | ); |
| 34 | } |
| 35 | |
| 36 | // Usage is awkward and inflexible |
| 37 | return ( |
| 38 | <Composer |
| 39 | renderHeader={() => |
| 40 | renderFooter={() => |
| 41 | <> |
| 42 | <Formatting /> |
| 43 | <Emojis /> |
| 44 | </> |
| 45 | )} |
| 46 | renderActions={() => |
| 47 | /> |
| 48 | ); |
| 49 | ``` |
| 50 | |
| 51 | **Correct (compound components with children):** |
| 52 | |
| 53 | ```tsx |
| 54 | function ComposerFrame({ children |
| 55 | return <form>{ |
| 56 | } |
| 57 | |
| 58 | function ComposerFooter({ children |
| 59 | return <footer className |
| 60 | } |
| 61 | |
| 62 | // Usage is flexible |
| 63 | return ( |
| 64 | <Composer.Frame> |
| 65 | <CustomHeader /> |
| 66 | <Composer.Input /> |
| 67 | <Composer.Footer> |
| 68 | <Composer.Formatting /> |
| 69 | <Composer.Emojis /> |
| 70 | <SubmitButton /> |
| 71 | </Composer.Footer> |
| 72 | </Composer.Frame> |
| 73 | ); |
| 74 | ``` |
| 75 | |
| 76 | **When render props are appropriate:** |
| 77 | |
| 78 | ```tsx |
| 79 | // Render props work well when you need to pass data back |
| 80 | <List data={ |
| 81 | ``` |
| 82 | |
| 83 | Use render props when the parent needs to provide data or state to the child. |
| 84 | Use children when composing static structure. |