'innerHTML = ...' vs 'appendChild(txtNode)': When Should You Use Each?

"innerHTML = ..." vs "appendChild(txtNode)" Behind the Scenes

The performance and functionality of manipulating HTML elements via "innerHTML = ..." and "appendChild(txtNode)" differ significantly.

appendChild(txtNode)

This method appends a text node to the end of an existing node without causing a complete DOM rebuild. It's an efficient method for adding content to an element, as it avoids the overhead of parsing HTML and reconstructing the DOM.

innerHTML = ...

In contrast, "innerHTML = ..." modifies the HTML content of an element by concatenating a string to its existing HTML. This triggers a complete rebuild of the DOM within the element, which can be computationally expensive. Additionally, it invalidates any references to previous child nodes within the element.

ReFlow

Both methods trigger a "ReFlow" - the process of recalculating the layout of an element after its size or position changes.

Efficiency Considerations

For appending, "appendChild(txtNode)" is generally more efficient as it avoids the parsing and rebuild overhead associated with "innerHTML = ...".

Side Effects

Modifying "innerHTML" has a notable side effect: it invalidates references to child nodes within the modified element. In contrast, "appendChild(txtNode)" preserves these references.

Alternative Methods

Besides "appendChild(txtNode)", alternative methods for appending content include:

• append(): A newer method that supports appending nodes, elements, or HTML strings.
• insertAdjacentHTML(): Inserts HTML into or next to an element.
• insertAdjacentText(): Inserts a text node into an element.

The choice of method depends on the specific requirements and the desired performance characteristics.

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