Append vs. AppendChild

Attribute	Append	AppendChild
Usage	Can append multiple nodes or strings at once	Can only append a single node at a time
Position	Appends nodes or strings at the end of the parent element	Appends the node as the last child of the parent element
Return Value	Returns the appended node or string	Returns the appended node

Introduction

When working with the Document Object Model (DOM) in JavaScript, developers often need to manipulate elements on a webpage. Two commonly used methods for adding elements to the DOM areappend() andappendChild(). While both methods serve a similar purpose, there are key differences between them that developers should be aware of.

Append Method

Theappend() method is a relatively new addition to the DOM API, introduced in the DOM specification in 2016. This method allows developers to add one or more nodes or strings as children of a specified parent node. When usingappend(), the elements are added to the end of the parent node's children list. This means that the new elements will be displayed after any existing children of the parent node.

One of the key advantages of theappend() method is its ability to accept multiple arguments. This means that developers can add multiple elements to a parent node in a single function call, making the code more concise and readable. Additionally, theappend() method returns the parent node after the new elements have been added, allowing for method chaining.

AppendChild Method

TheappendChild() method has been a part of the DOM API for much longer than theappend() method. This method is used to add a single node as a child of a specified parent node. When usingappendChild(), the new node is added to the end of the parent node's children list, similar to theappend() method.

Unlike theappend() method,appendChild() only accepts a single argument - the node to be added. This means that developers must call the method multiple times if they want to add multiple nodes to a parent node. Additionally, theappendChild() method does not return a value, so method chaining is not possible with this method.

Key Differences

One of the main differences between theappend() andappendChild() methods is their syntax. As mentioned earlier, theappend() method can accept multiple arguments, whileappendChild() can only accept a single argument. This makesappend() more versatile and convenient for adding multiple elements at once.

Another key difference is the return value of the methods. Theappend() method returns the parent node after adding the new elements, allowing for method chaining. On the other hand, theappendChild() method does not return a value, so developers cannot chain multiple method calls together.

Best Use Cases

When deciding between usingappend() andappendChild(), developers should consider the specific requirements of their project. If they need to add multiple elements to a parent node in a single function call,append() is the better choice. On the other hand, if they only need to add a single node,appendChild() may be more appropriate.

Additionally, developers should consider whether they need to chain method calls together. If method chaining is important for their code structure,append() is the way to go. However, if method chaining is not a concern,appendChild() may be sufficient for their needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both theappend() andappendChild() methods are useful for adding elements to the DOM. While they serve a similar purpose, there are key differences in their syntax and return values that developers should be aware of. By understanding these differences, developers can choose the method that best suits their specific requirements and coding style.