innerHTML vs appendChild: What Happens Under the Hood?
When working with DOM manipulation, developers often grapple with the choice between using "innerHTML = ..." and "appendChild(txtNode)". Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these methods is crucial for optimizing performance and preventing unintended consequences.
ReFlow and DOM Rebuild
Both methods trigger a "ReFlow", a process where the browser recalculates the position and size of elements. However, unlike "innerHTML = ...", "appendChild(txtNode)" does not cause a complete rebuild of the DOM.
innerHTML's Side Effects
Setting "innerHTML" replaces the existing content with new HTML. This causes references to previously existing child nodes to become invalid. This happens because the DOM is rebuilt, creating new nodes and replacing the references.
appendChild's Efficiency
When appending a text node via "appendChild", the DOM does not need to be rebuilt for the entire target element. Instead, it appends the new node as a child of the target. References to existing child nodes remain intact.
Other Append Options
In addition to "innerHTML" and "appendChild", several other options are available for appending content:
Best Practices for Appending
When dealing with appending content, consider the following:
Understanding the nuances of these methods will empower you to make informed decisions during DOM manipulation, ensuring performance optimalization and reliable behavior.
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