recessed lighting in residential suspended ceiling

[realolman]

is it code compliant to go from one fixture to another with nm that is supported within 4.5' of the fixtures, splicing the conductors in the j-box of the fixture ( provided the box is large enough ) ...or is it necessary to mount a j-box and do the splicing in the mounted j-box and run a single cable "whip" to the fixture?

 

[LEO2854]

is it code compliant to go from one fixture to another with nm that is supported within 4.5' of the fixtures, splicing the conductors in the j-box of the fixture ( provided the box is large enough ) ...or is it necessary to mount a j-box and do the splicing in the mounted j-box and run a single cable "whip" to the fixture?

You can make up your splices right in the box that comes with them.