React's Layout Component's Concept

A web application or website’s layout can be made consistent by using React components. They offer a systematic and logical manner to specify the arrangement of various UI components, which can enhance a codebase’s maintainability and scalability. This article will show you how to use Layout components to simplify page design and implementation.

The React Layout component enables you to build wrapper/parent components that represent generic boxes, such as the sidebar, navbar, modal, or footer components, which do not know their children in advance. It is a parent component that simply delivers or transmits information to other child components; it does not take anything from the child.

React Layout Component Set-up

I’ll demonstrate in this section how simple it is to set up a React layout component. Before constructing the layout component, it is first necessary to assess the project at hand to identify all component files that will be required and those that are likely to be utilized frequently during the project.

For the example below, I built a blank homepage with a sidebar, navigation bar, contact, team, and dashboard components.

After reviewing, you would see that the navbar and sidebar were used the most frequently on the website.

We would need to attach the Navigation bar and sidebar components respectively to the layout component so they can be reusable. To do this, head into your react folder and create a Layout component.

Once created, Head into the Layout folder and add the layout syntax as seen below:

import React from "react";
import "./Layout.css";

// Pass the child props
export default function Layout({ children }) {
  return (
    <div>
      {/* display the child prop */}
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}

The next step is customizing the layout folder. To do this, you would have to create some components; in this case, we would use a sidebar and navbar components. Individually design the produced components and then import and attach the files into the React layout components, as seen below.

import React from "react";
import "./Layout.css";

// Importing all created components
import Sidebar from "../Sidebar/Sidebar";
import Navbar from "../Navbar/Navbar";

// Pass the child props
export default function Layout({ children }) {
  return (
    <div>
      {/* Attaching all file components */}
      <Navbar />
      <Sidebar />
      {children}
      <Footer /> {/* Attach if necessary */}
    </div>
  );
}

It’s important to note the positions of the various components, which is why I included the dummy footer component seen above. You are to attach any created component where they would naturally appear on your webpage (above the child content or below it).

The final step, which you might have guessed, is spreading the Layout across the children’s components.

Head into the Pages folder; in the components, the layouts are to appear. Import the layout component, and then wrap all file content in a Layout tag. I have shown a sample in the image below.

Benefits of utilizing the react layout components

The following are some advantages of using React layout components:

1. Regularity: By using layout components, you can ensure that your application’s layout is constant on all pages and in all components. Fostering familiarity and lowering confusion can enhance the overall user experience, as seen in the image below.

2. Reusability: By making reusable layout components, you can reduce code duplication, as seen in the image below, and simplify long-term code maintenance. In the long term, this can help you save time and effort.

3. Flexibility: React layout elements can be modified and expanded to meet various design specifications. This implies that instead of starting from scratch each time, you may design a layout that works well for your particular use case.
4. Separation of Interests: It can be simpler to reason about and maintain your codebase if you separate your application’s layout and content. Additionally, it enables various groups of developers or teams to focus on various aspects of the application without stomping on each other’s toes.

Some React Layout component drawbacks

Despite the many benefits of React layouts, there are a few potential drawbacks to take into account:

1. Learner’s curve: For developers new to React, there may be a high learning curve for creating and utilizing layout components. Learning the React syntax and how to organize layout components correctly can take some effort.

2. Continuance: Although layout elements can help maintain uniformity throughout an application, they must also be maintained regularly. Layout elements may need to be changed as changes are made to the application for them to remain functional.

3. Inflexible range: Although layout components offer a dependable and repeatable framework, some developers may find them insufficient. It could take more coding to customize or extend layouts, and it might not be as simple as starting from scratch.

4. Concerns about performance: Using heavily nested layout components might cause long rendering times and a less responsive user experience, depending on how the layout is created.

Conclusion

React layouts can help developers in many ways, but they might not be the best option for every project. Before determining whether to employ React layouts in their application, developers should carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks.

Gain Debugging Superpowers

Unleash the power of session replay to reproduce bugs and track user frustrations. Get complete visibility into your frontend with OpenReplay, the most advanced open-source session replay tool for developers.

Check our GitHub Repo