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Understanding CSR, SSR, SSG, and ISR: A Next.js Perspective
When building web applications, it’s essential to choose the right rendering strategy to optimize performance, improve user experience, and enhance search engine visibility. In this blog, we’ll dive into the concepts of Client-Side Rendering (CSR), Server-Side Rendering (SSR), Static Site Generation (SSG), and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR). We’ll explore how Next.js, a popular React framework, leverages these strategies to empower developers to create high-performing and dynamic web applications. Let’s delve into each rendering approach and understand how they are implemented in Next.js with practical examples.
Client-Side Rendering (CSR)
Client-Side Rendering (CSR) is the default rendering strategy in React applications. In CSR, the initial request loads a minimal HTML file that includes JavaScript files responsible for rendering the application. The client’s browser then executes the JavaScript, fetching data from APIs and rendering the page on the client-side. This approach provides a smooth and interactive user experience, but may result in slower initial load times, especially for content-heavy pages.
Example in Next.js:
To implement CSR in Next.js, you can simply create React components and navigate between pages using the client-side routing system provided by Next.js. Here’s an example:
In this example, we have a simple homepage component with a link to the about page. When the user clicks the link, Next.js dynamically loads the about page without a full-page refresh.
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)
Server-Side Rendering (SSR) involves rendering the React components on the server and sending the fully rendered HTML to the client. This approach improves initial page load times and ensures that search engines can index the content effectively. SSR is particularly beneficial for applications with dynamic data that changes frequently or requires personalized information.
