Next.js for Server Side Rendering

Note: this page has been created with the use of AI. Please take caution, and note that the content of this page does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Cratecode.

Before we delve into the magical world of server side rendering with Next.js, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty of JavaScript. JavaScript, the language that laughs at the face of the server-client divide and says, "I can be both!" It's the Swiss Army Knife of the programming world, always there when you need to cut through the clutter of the web. But sometimes, even the Swiss Army Knife needs a little extra power. That's where Next.js comes into play.

Server Side Rendering with Next.js

Next.js is a React framework that makes server-side rendering a breeze. But why server-side rendering (SSR), you ask? Well, consider the impatient web surfer who wants their webpage and wants it now. With traditional client-side rendering, our surfer has to wait for the entire JavaScript bundle to load before anything meaningful shows up on their screen. That's like waiting for your entire pizza to cook before you can start eating. Who has the patience for that?

With SSR, your server does the heavy lifting and sends a fully rendered HTML page to the client. That's like getting a slice of pizza while the rest of it is still cooking. Faster initial load times, better SEO, and improved performance - that's the power of SSR!

Here's a simple example of how you create a Next.js app with server-side rendering:

import React from 'react';

class HomePage extends React.Component {
    static async getInitialProps({ req }) {
        // This function runs on server side and fetches data before page is served
        const userAgent = req ? req.headers['user-agent'] : navigator.userAgent;
        return { userAgent };
    }

    render() {
        return (
            <div>
                Hello World. You are visiting from "{this.props.userAgent}"
            </div>
        );
    }
}

export default HomePage;

In the code above, getInitialProps is a special function in Next.js that runs on the server side before the page is served. It fetches the necessary data and passes it as props to the page. This is the heart of server-side rendering in Next.js.

SSR vs CSR

It's not always sunshine and rainbows with SSR, as it comes with its own set of challenges. Increased server load, complexity of code, and potentially slower time-to-interactive are some of the trade-offs. That's why it's important to understand when to use SSR and when to stick with client-side rendering (CSR).

Remember, SSR is like getting a slice of pizza while the rest of it is still cooking. But sometimes, you need the whole pizza to fully enjoy the experience. Similarly, for applications that are not dependent on SEO and where user interaction is more important than initial load time, CSR might be a better choice.

FAQ