Server side rendering

Server-side rendering is a technique that generates HTML content on the server before sending it to the client browser. The server processes the application code and creates fully rendered pages that are delivered to users as complete HTML documents.

Context and Usage

Server-side rendering is commonly used in web development for content-heavy websites, e-commerce platforms, and applications requiring strong search engine optimization. It is implemented by front-end developers using frameworks like Next.js, Remix, and traditional server-side technologies. The approach is particularly valuable for dynamic content sites where pages need to be generated on-demand for each user request.

Common Challenges

Server-side rendering can lead to increased server load and higher infrastructure costs due to the computational resources required for rendering. It may introduce complexity in state management between server and client, potentially causing hydration mismatches. The approach can also result in slower time-to-first-byte compared to static sites, and developers face challenges with caching strategies for dynamic content.

Related Topics: client-side rendering, static site generation, incremental static regeneration, hydration, first contentful paint, search engine optimization