Understanding React Server Components

What are React Server Components?

React Server Components represent a new paradigm in React development, allowing components to render on the server and send the result to the client as a serialized format.

Benefits

• Reduced Bundle Size: Server components don't add to your client-side JavaScript bundle
• Direct Database Access: Fetch data directly without API routes
• Improved Performance: Faster initial page loads and better Core Web Vitals
• Better SEO: Content is rendered on the server, making it immediately available to search engines

Server vs Client Components

Understanding when to use server components vs client components is crucial:

Use Server Components for:

• Data fetching
• Accessing backend resources
• Keeping sensitive information on the server
• Large dependencies that would impact bundle size

Use Client Components for:

• Interactivity and event listeners
• State and lifecycle effects
• Browser-only APIs
• Custom hooks

Best Practices

Here are some best practices when working with Server Components:

1. Start with Server Components by default
2. Move to Client Components only when needed
3. Keep the client-server boundary as low as possible
4. Use the "use client" directive sparingly