:title
COMPONENT

:sig
COMPONENT(Request& context)

:see
>component
>component_render
>1_RENDER
>1_INIT
>1_ONCE
>1_WS

:content
Defines the default component entrypoint for the current `.uce` file.

`component()` and `component_render()` call `COMPONENT(Request& context)` by default. Named component entrypoints use `COMPONENT:NAME(Request& context)`.

If the same file defines `ONCE(Request& context)`, that hook runs once per request before the first `COMPONENT()` or `COMPONENT:NAME()` call for that unit.

If the file defines `INIT(Request& context)`, that hook runs once when the worker loads the compiled unit into memory.

## Why It Exists

This keeps page rendering and component rendering separate:

- direct HTTP requests call `RENDER(Request& context)`
- WebSocket messages call `WS(Request& context)`
- component helpers call `COMPONENT(Request& context)` or `COMPONENT:NAME(Request& context)`

A file intended only for component reuse can define `COMPONENT()` without defining `RENDER()`.

Inside component handlers, props arrive through `context.props`.

When you call `component(":NAME", props, context)` or `component_render(":NAME", props, context)`, the runtime resolves `:NAME` against the current `.uce` file instead of requiring the file name again.

## Example


:example
print("COMPONENT is a unit directive; place it at top level in a .uce unit.\n");