Server-side rendering (SSR) is the process of generating HTML on the server and sending it to the client as a complete page, rather than relying on client-side JavaScript to render the page. In an SSR application, the server generates the initial HTML for the page, including any dynamic data or content, and sends it to the client, where it is displayed in the browser.
Server-side rendering has several benefits over client-side rendering, including:
1. Improved performance: By generating HTML on the server, SSR applications can reduce the time it takes for the initial page to load, as the client does not need to wait for JavaScript to download and execute before rendering the page.
2. Improved accessibility: SSR applications are more accessible to users who have JavaScript disabled or who are using slow network connections, as the server generates the HTML for the page and sends it to the client as a complete page.
3. Improved SEO: SSR applications are more easily indexed by search engines, as the server generates the complete HTML for the page and sends it to the client, rather than relying on client-side JavaScript to render the page.
To implement server-side rendering in a web application, there are several key concepts and techniques to understand, including:
1. Templating engines: Templating engines are tools that allow developers to generate dynamic HTML on the server. Templating engines typically use a combination of HTML and JavaScript syntax to generate the HTML for a page, and can include support for conditionals, loops, and other programming constructs.
2. Data fetching: In an SSR application, data must be fetched on the server before the page is rendered. This can be done using server-side APIs or by fetching data from external data sources, such as databases or third-party APIs.
3. Routing: In an SSR application, the server must handle routing to determine which page to render based on the requested URL. This can be done using server-side routing libraries or by defining custom routing logic.
4. Client-side hydration: After the initial HTML is sent to the client, the client-side JavaScript must “hydrate” the page by attaching event handlers and updating the page as necessary. This can be done using client-side JavaScript frameworks, such as React or Vue.js.
Overall, server-side rendering is an important technique for improving the performance, accessibility, and SEO of web applications. By understanding the key concepts and techniques involved in server-side rendering, developers can build faster, more accessible, and more user-friendly web applications.