The Road to Server Components

The evolution of React’s component-based architecture has been a journey that started years ago with Concurrent React. The introduction of React Suspense allowed developers to create slots in the rendering tree that could be asynchronously filled with components once data became available.

For example, the ServerComponent will render “waiting for it” until it finishes fetching data on the server, streams it to the client-side, and patches it into the slot. This new approach, known as React Server Components (RSC), only ships the necessary resources to the client, reducing bloat and improving performance.

However, it’s crucial to understand the difference between server components and client components when it comes to the serialization boundary. Serialized data, devoid of functions, date objects, and circular references, is essential for transmitting data between server and client.

The Serialization Boundary

Serialization boundary is like a bridge that data must cross when moving from server to client in an HTTP request. React uses JSON for serialization, ensuring that only serialized data can be transmitted within HTTP requests.

When using React Server Components, data encapsulation is vital. Data should be fetched and encapsulated within components, minimizing the need to pass props to children unnecessarily.

Data Fetching

Efficient data fetching is crucial for React Server Components to function effectively. Both Remix and Next.js provide solutions for server-side data fetching, preventing duplicate requests and improving performance.

By leveraging the asynchronous nature of RSC, requests can be fired once for the same render, enhancing efficiency and reducing unnecessary overhead. This approach simplifies data fetching and rendering processes significantly.

Streaming Patterns

RSC allows for the use of streaming patterns, enabling efficient data retrieval from multiple endpoints. By fetching data in parallel and instructing the framework to stream data as it becomes available, rendering delays can be minimized, enhancing user experience.

Using suspense boundaries, data can be streamed progressively, allowing rendering to happen as early as possible and improving app responsiveness.

Interactivity

Server components do not execute React hooks on the server, necessitating the use of pragma directives to differentiate between server and client components. By pushing user interactivity to the edges of the rendering tree, RSC can maximize performance benefits.

For mutations, React-based frameworks offer server actions that allow components to respond to user interactions effectively. Next.js and Remix provide implementations for handling pending UI states and enabling optimistic transitions.

Final Thoughts

React Server Components represent a significant step towards a more performant and high-quality web. While they may not be suitable for all applications, evaluating the tradeoffs and benefits of implementing server components is crucial for optimizing performance.

For new projects, exploring the patterns and possibilities offered by React Server Components can pave the way for innovative and efficient web development.

Start Building

Begin building with your favorite tech stack, language, and framework of choice to leverage the power of React Server Components in your projects.