Exploring React Server Components

August 6, 2023 (2y ago)

Exploring React Server Components

In the world of frontend web development, performance and user experience are paramount. React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, has introduced an exciting new feature known as React Server Components that aims to revolutionize the way we build and deliver web applications.

React Server Components

What are React Server Components?

React Server Components (RSC) are a groundbreaking addition to the React ecosystem. They enable developers to split their UI components into two parts: a server component and a client component. The server component is rendered on the server and sent as HTML, while the client component handles interactivity and updates after the initial render.

Benefits of React Server Components

Improved Performance

One of the primary benefits of RSC is improved performance. By rendering components on the server, RSC reduces the time-to-interactivity and initial load times. Users get a faster experience as they can interact with parts of the UI even before the JavaScript bundles are fully loaded.

Reduced JavaScript Payload

With RSC, the server components are rendered on the server and sent as HTML, reducing the initial JavaScript payload. This is particularly important for users on slow or unreliable connections, as they can start using the application sooner.

Enhanced SEO

Server-rendered content is also beneficial for SEO. Search engines can easily index the server-rendered content, leading to better search engine rankings and discoverability.

How React Server Components Work

  1. Server Rendering: The server component is rendered on the server and sent to the client as part of the HTML response.

  2. Hydration: The client component, which includes any interactivity or dynamic behavior, is hydrated on the client-side. This means that the server-rendered HTML is turned into a fully interactive React component.

  3. Incremental Loading: After hydration, the client component can fetch additional data or updates from the server using React's asynchronous rendering capabilities.

React Server Component Workflow