Why is `appendChild(txtNode)` a more efficient choice than `innerHTML = ...` for appending content to a DOM element?

Examining the Differences Between "innerHTML = ..." and "appendChild(txtNode)"

Comparing the impact of modifying the DOM using "innerHTML = ..." and appending a text node via "appendChild(txtNode)," we unravel their underlying mechanisms.

Firstly, "innerHTML = ..." triggers a complete rebuild of the target element's content. By contrast, "appendChild(txtNode)" does not involve a wholesale DOM reconstruction. It simply appends the text node to the target, avoiding unnecessary rebuilding of existing elements.

Furthermore, setting "innerHTML" invalidates references to child nodes within the target element. This is because the old nodes are removed and replaced with new ones. However, when using "appendChild(txtNode)," these references remain intact.

Performance-wise, "innerHTML = ..." requires the browser to parse all nodes in the target element and construct an HTML string. This can be inefficient when only appending text.

In summary, "appendChild(txtNode)" is a more efficient choice for appending content. Additionally, consider the following alternatives for managing DOM changes:

• append: Appends elements or HTML strings to the target element, supporting multiple arguments and HTML strings.
• insertAdjacentHTML: Inserts HTML nodes into or around an element, providing specified positioning options.
• insertAdjacentText: Inserts a text node into or around an element, without parsing as HTML.

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