Adding script tag to React/JSX

javascript

react-hooks

script-loading

best-practices

byNikita Barsukov·Oct 30, 2024

Inject a script into your React component swiftly with JavaScript's document.createElement:

componentDidMount() {
  const script = document.createElement('script');
  script.src = '//your-script-url.js';
  document.body.appendChild(script);
}

On component mount, this approach appends a script to the body and initiates execution instantly.

For functional components, utilize useEffect:

import { useEffect } from 'react';

function useScript(url) {
  useEffect(() => {
    // New scripted tech from Silicon Valley
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = url;
    script.async = true; // Plays well with others
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script); // When you no longer spark joy
    };
  }, [url]);
}

The hook useScript('//your-script-url.js') gets the job done within your component.

Strategies for inserting script tags: a deep dive

Script addition: The React way

React, as a principe, encourages clean and modular code. When dealing with script tag operations, use custom hooks or lifecycle methods to encapsulate this behavior - this is the essence of abstraction.

It's crucial to remember that for class components, the componentDidMount method ensures the script is inserted after the first render. For functional components, the useEffect hook is designed for the same functional behavior.

The power of custom hooks

Custom hooks offer re-usable, clean, and test-able solutions. By encapsulating the script-loading logic, it becomes easy to integrate across various React components.

Inline script or npm packages?

Before resorting to inline scripts, verify if the required functionality is available as a npm package. It is generally safer and more synergistic with the React ecosystem.

Considerations and best practices

Manipulating page metadata using React Helmet

React Helmet offers a declarative and safe way of adding scripts. It primarily manipulates the document head efficiently, ensuring re-usability and unmounting convenience.

Importance of script removal

In the useEffect hook, the clean-up function ensures script removal when the component unmounts - preventing injection of multiple scripts and eliminating potential memory leaks.

Understanding and avoiding security risks

Steer clear from methods including dangerouslySetInnerHTML to avoid the risk of XSS attacks. Use sanitary libraries, such as react-safe to ensure the scripts you add do not give rise to vulnerabilities within your application.

Loading scripts: The asynchronous way

Remember to leverage the async attribute to prevent blocking the main thread, and consider error handling strategies like try-catch to manage any script loading issues gracefully.

Visualization

Think of the React component as a brick in the wall and your script as a new brick:

Wall: [brick1, brick2, brick3]

To add it, you need a special tool (a hook):

useEffect(() => {
  // ...
}, []);

After the addition, the wall looks like this:

Wall: [brick1, brick2, brick3, new brick]

Voila! The script is successfully integrated without disturbing the structure of the wall!

Loading scripts efficiently

Custom fonts

Custom fonts, like Typekit, should be loaded asynchronously, while ensuring the use of the actual ID and not placeholders. This enables non-blocking loading and enriches your user experience.

Leveraging JSX

It's essential to understand that the function document.createElement is pivotal in rendering tags within JSX. It converts our virtual DOM into actual DOM elements.

Importance of updating skills

Keep pace with the ever-evolving domain of React programming. Regularly review the best practices and stay involved in community discussions. This will ensure your script loading techniques remain efficient and secure.

explain-codes / Javascript / Adding script tag to React/JSX

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