# When to Use Static Generation v.s. Server-side Rendering

See section When to Use Static Generation v.s. Server-side Rendering (opens new window) of the Next.js tutorial:

  1. You should ask yourself: "Can I pre-render this page ahead of a user's request?"
    • If the answer is yes, then you should choose Static Generation.
    • If you cannot pre-render a page ahead of user's requests and the page content changes on every request, use Server-side Rendering. It will be slower, but the pre-rendered page will always be up-to-date.
    • Use client-side JavaScript to populate frequently updated data (for instance: the view changes often in terms of the user and the internet connection is slow).

# What is the difference between SSR an Server Side Component?

The main difference between Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Server Components lies in their approach to rendering and their place in the application lifecycle. Let me break it down for you:

  1. Server-Side Rendering (SSR):

SSR is a technique where the initial HTML of a page is generated on the server for each request . When a user makes a request to your site, your server generates the HTML at that time (runtime) and then returns the HTML, JSON data, and JavaScript instructions back to the client's browser .

Key characteristics of SSR:

  • The entire page is rendered on the server for the initial request.
  • The server sends a fully formed HTML page to the client.
  • After the initial load, subsequent interactions may be handled client-side.
  • SSR can improve initial page load times and is beneficial for SEO.
  1. Server Components:

Server Components, on the other hand, are a more recent innovation, particularly associated with React and frameworks like Next.js. They allow you to render specific components on the server .

Key characteristics of Server Components:

  • They execute in a separate module system from Client Components to avoid accidentally exposing information between the two .
  • They can access server-side resources directly (like databases or file systems) without exposing sensitive information to the client.
  • They can reduce the amount of JavaScript sent to the client, as their rendering logic stays on the server.
  • They can be used alongside Client Components in the same application.

The main differences

  1. Granularity: SSR typically renders entire pages on the server, while Server Components allow for component-level server-side rendering.
  2. Interactivity: SSR pages become interactive after the JavaScript loads on the client, while Server Components can coexist with interactive Client Components from the start.
  3. Data fetching: With SSR, data is typically fetched for the entire page. Server Components allow for more granular data fetching at the component level.
  4. Performance: Server Components can potentially offer better performance by reducing the amount of JavaScript sent to the client and allowing for more efficient updates.
  5. Development model: Server Components introduce a new mental model for developers, allowing them to think about server-side and client-side logic at the component level.

In modern frameworks like Next.js, you can use both SSR and Server Components together to create efficient and performant applications. Server Components represent a more fine-grained approach to server-side rendering, offering developers more control over what gets rendered on the server versus the client.

# Can exists a Client Side Component which is server side rendered? Does it makes sense?

A Client-Side Component can indeed be server-side rendered, and it does make sense in certain contexts. This concept is particularly relevant in frameworks like Next.js that support both Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Client-Side Rendering (CSR). Now, here's how they can work together:

  1. Initial Render: When a user first requests a page, the server can render the entire page, including Client-Side Components, into HTML. This is the "server-side rendered" part .
  2. Hydration: After the initial HTML is sent to the browser, the JavaScript for these Client-Side Components is also sent. The components then "hydrate", attaching event listeners and becoming fully interactive.

This approach combines the benefits of both worlds:

  • Fast initial page load and better SEO from SSR
  • Rich interactivity of Client-Side Components after hydration

In Next.js, this is actually a common pattern. By default, pages are pre-rendered (either at build time or on each request), but they can include Client Components that become interactive after the JavaScript loads .

Here's a simplified example of how this might look in Next.js:

'use client'

import { useState } from 'react'

export default function Counter() {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0)

  return (
    <div>
      <p>You clicked {count} times</p>
      <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>
        Click me
      </button>
    </div>
  )
}
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This Counter component is a Client Component (note the 'use client' directive). However, when used in a Next.js page:

  1. It will be initially rendered on the server as static HTML
  2. When loaded in the browser, it will hydrate and become interactive

Yes, a Client-Side Component can be server-side rendered, and it makes sense as a strategy to combine the benefits of SSR (faster initial load, SEO) with the interactivity of client-side components.

Last Updated: 8 days ago