1248 Patterns Children Over Render Props 7c45a0d2

Prefer Children Over Render Props

Use children for composition instead of renderX props. Children are more readable, compose naturally, and don't require understanding callback signatures.

Incorrect (render props):

function Composer({
  renderHeader,
  renderFooter,
  renderActions,
}: {
  renderHeader?: () => React.ReactNode
  renderFooter?: () => React.ReactNode
  renderActions?: () => React.ReactNode
}) {
  return (
    <form>
      {renderHeader?.()}
      <Input />
      {renderFooter ? renderFooter() : <DefaultFooter />}
      {renderActions?.()}
    </form>
  )
}

// Usage is awkward and inflexible
return (
  <Composer
    renderHeader={() => <CustomHeader />}
    renderFooter={() => (
      <>
        <Formatting />
        <Emojis />
      </>
    )}
    renderActions={() => <SubmitButton />}
  />
)

Correct (compound components with children):

function ComposerFrame({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <form>{children}</form>
}

function ComposerFooter({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <footer className='flex'>{children}</footer>
}

// Usage is flexible
return (
  <Composer.Frame>
    <CustomHeader />
    <Composer.Input />
    <Composer.Footer>
      <Composer.Formatting />
      <Composer.Emojis />
      <SubmitButton />
    </Composer.Footer>
  </Composer.Frame>
)

When render props are appropriate:

// Render props work well when you need to pass data back
<List
  data={items}
  renderItem={({ item, index }) => <Item item={item} index={index} />}
/>

Use render props when the parent needs to provide data or state to the child. Use children when composing static structure.