Unable To Render A NavigationContainer When Linking Props Is Present

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Introduction

When working with React Navigation, it's essential to understand how to properly set up and test navigation containers. In this article, we'll explore a common issue that arises when including the linking prop inside the <NavigationContainer>. We'll delve into the code, identify the problem, and provide a solution to resolve the issue.

The Problem

The issue at hand is that when we include the linking prop inside the <NavigationContainer>, we're no longer able to render the component. This is a crucial problem to solve, as it affects the overall functionality of our application.

Code Analysis

Let's take a closer look at the code provided:

import { act, render, screen, userEvent} from '@testing-library/react-native'
import { Button, Text, View } from 'react-native'
import { createBottomTabNavigator } from '@react-navigation/bottom-tabs'
import { NavigationContainer, useNavigation } from '@react-navigation/native'

const linking = {
  prefixes: [],
  config: {
    screens: {
      Home: 'home',
      Settings: 'settings'
    }
  }
}

jest.useFakeTimers();

const HomeScreen = () => {
  const navigation: any = useNavigation()
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Text>Home screen</Text>
      <Button testID='test1' title="click" onPress={() => {navigation.navigate('Settings')}} />
    </View>
  );
};

const SettingsScreen = () => {
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Text>Settings screen</Text>
      <Button testID='test1' title="click" onPress={() => {}} />
    </View>
  );
};

const Tab = createBottomTabNavigator();

export const MyTabs = () => {
  return (
    <Tab.Navigator>
      <Tab.Screen name="Home" component={HomeScreen} />
      <Tab.Screen name="Settings" component={SettingsScreen} />
    </Tab.Navigator>
  );
};

test('navigates to settings by tab bar button press', async () => {
  const user = userEvent.setup();

  render(
    <NavigationContainer linking={linking}>
      <MyTabs />
    </NavigationContainer>
  );

  console.log(screen.debug())

  const button = screen.getByText('click')

  await user.press(button);

  act(() => jest.runAllTimers());

  expect(screen.getByText('Settings screen')).toBeVisible();
});

The Issue

The problem lies in the fact that we're trying to access an element with the text "click" using screen.getByText('click'). However, this element is not present in the DOM, which is why we're getting the error "Unable to find an element with text: click".

Solution

To resolve this issue, we need to modify the code to correctly access the button element. We can do this by using the testID prop provided by @testing-library/react-native. Here's the modified code:

import { act, render, screen, userEvent} from '@testing-library/react-native'
import { Button, Text, View } from 'react-native'
import { createBottomTabNavigator } from '@react-navigation/bottom-tabs'
import { NavigationContainer, useNavigation } from '@react-navigation/native'

const linking = {
  prefixes: [],
  config: {
    screens: {
      Home: 'home',
      Settings: 'settings'
    }
  }
}

jest.useFakeTimers();

const HomeScreen = () => {
  const navigation: any = useNavigation()
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Text>Home screen</Text>
      <Button testID='test1' title="click" onPress={() => {navigation.navigate('Settings')}} />
    </View>
  );
};

const SettingsScreen = () => {
  return (
    <View style={{ flex: 1, justifyContent: 'center', alignItems: 'center' }}>
      <Text>Settings screen</Text>
      <Button testID='test2' title="click" onPress={() => {}} />
    </View>
  );
};

const Tab = createBottomTabNavigator();

export const MyTabs = () => {
  return (
    <Tab.Navigator>
      <Tab.Screen name="Home" component={HomeScreen} />
      <Tab.Screen name="Settings" component={SettingsScreen} />
    </Tab.Navigator>
  );
};

test('navigates to settings by tab bar button press', async () => {
  const user = userEvent.setup();

  render(
    <NavigationContainer linking={linking}>
      <MyTabs />
    </NavigationContainer>
  );

  console.log(screen.debug())

  const button = screen.getByTestId('test1')

  await user.press(button);

  act(() => jest.runAllTimers());

  expect(screen.getByText('Settings screen')).toBeVisible();
});

Conclusion

Q: What is the issue with including the linking prop inside the <NavigationContainer>?

A: The issue arises when we include the linking prop inside the <NavigationContainer>, we're no longer able to render the component. This is a crucial problem to solve, as it affects the overall functionality of our application.

Q: What is the cause of this issue?

A: The cause of this issue is that we're trying to access an element with the text "click" using screen.getByText('click'). However, this element is not present in the DOM, which is why we're getting the error "Unable to find an element with text: click".

Q: How can we resolve this issue?

A: To resolve this issue, we need to modify the code to correctly access the button element. We can do this by using the testID prop provided by @testing-library/react-native. By modifying the code to use screen.getByTestId instead of screen.getByText, we can successfully navigate to the second screen and resolve the issue.

Q: What is the difference between screen.getByText and screen.getByTestId?

A: screen.getByText is used to access an element by its text content, while screen.getByTestId is used to access an element by its test ID. In this case, we need to use screen.getByTestId because the button element has a test ID of "test1".

Q: How can we ensure that our code is properly set up for testing?

A: To ensure that our code is properly set up for testing, we need to follow the instructions provided by React Navigation for testing. We also need to make sure that we're using the correct props and methods for testing.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when testing with React Navigation?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when testing with React Navigation include:

  • Not properly setting up the testing environment
  • Not using the correct props and methods for testing
  • Not handling errors and edge cases properly
  • Not writing clear and concise test code

Q: How can we improve our testing skills and write better test code?

A: To improve our testing skills and write better test code, we can:

  • Follow best practices for testing and coding
  • Use tools and libraries to help with testing and debugging
  • Practice writing test code and debugging issues
  • Learn from others and share knowledge and experiences

Q: What are some resources for learning more about testing with React Navigation?

A: Some resources for learning more about testing with React Navigation include:

  • The official React Navigation documentation
  • Online tutorials and courses
  • Books and articles on testing and React Navigation
  • Communities and forums for testing and React Navigation

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of not being able to render a NavigationContainer when linking props is present can be resolved by correctly accessing the button element using the testID prop provided by @testing-library/react-native. By following best practices for testing and coding, and using tools and libraries to help with testing and debugging, we can improve our testing skills and write better test code.