Is ReactJS server side rendering or client side rendering? This important question has caused a lot of debate among developers. Should we render from the server or the browser? How does this affect performance? What is the best practice for deployment? These are all important questions which must be answered when considering the optimal implementation for ReactJS.
The main problem with determining the answer to this question is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the specific use case, either server side rendering or client side rendering may be preferable. According to the official ReactJS documentation, “Server-side rendering is a better user experience for usability and SEO. Client-side rendering can provide a richer, more interactive experience.” This clearly demonstrates the split opinion in the development community. In addition, recent studies have shown that server side rendering requires fewer CPU cycles than client side rendering, leading to increased performance.
In this article you will learn about the pros and cons of server side and client side rendering in ReactJS. We will discuss in detail each approach, along with their respective advantages and limitations, and then provide a conclusion on which method is the most suitable for a given implementation. Different use cases and performance considerations will be examined, allowing you to make an informed decision about which rendering option is the best from both a development and an end-user perspective.Definition: ReactJS is a JavaScript library that is used for developing user interfaces.
Definitions of ReactJS:
Client-Side Rendering: This means that an application’s code is rendered by the browser on the client-side. This means that the user will load a web page, and JavaScript code within that page will be executed and rendered on their browser. This is the opposite of server-side rendering, which would require that the code be rendered on the server for delivery to the client browser.
Server-Side Rendering: This is an alternate way of rendering web pages that require that the code executed is on the server. This type of rendering is usually more efficient than client-side rendering, since the server will already have the data that is used to create the web page. This process can also provide better security, since the web server is in control of what is sent to the browser.
ReactJS: ReactJS is a JavaScript library that is used for developing user interfaces. It provides a way to create user interfaces with a component-based architecture, making the code easier to use, maintain, and test. ReactJS components can be updated dynamically, meaning that changes to the user interface are made without having to reload the page. This makes the user experience smoother in large applications that would need to be reloaded frequently if they were written with server-side rendering. Additionally, ReactJS can be used in both server-side and client-side rendering, making it a flexible tool for developers.

I. What is ReactJS?

ReactJS is a JavaScript library with a primary focus on building user interfaces. It was developed by and is maintained by Facebook, Instagram, and a wider community of developers. ReactJS enables developers to create fast and interactive user interfaces as well as dynamic web and mobile apps.

ReactJS Benefits

ReactJS offers many advantages, including:

• High-Performance – ReactJS has the ability to render large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
• Flexibility – ReactJS can be used on websites, mobile apps, and even virtual reality experiences.
• Reduced Development Time – ReactJS offers a variety of features that make developing faster and easier.
• Easy Integration – ReactJS is easy to integrate with other frameworks and technologies.

How Reactjs Works

ReactJS is made up of components. Each component is a self-contained block of code that is responsible for a single feature or aspect of the user interface. Components can be combined or reused to quickly create complex user interfaces. By using components, developers can create applications in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
In addition to components, ReactJS also features the use of a virtual DOM. The virtual DOM is a lightweight version of the standard browser DOM. It is responsible for managing the dynamically created components and ensuring that the user interface remains up-to-date and responsive. By using the virtual DOM, ReactJS is able to increase performance and significantly reduce the time it takes to render user interfaces.
ReactJS is a powerful tool for creating dynamic user interfaces. It offers a wide range of benefits and features that make it easy and fast to develop web and mobile applications. By taking advantage of the component-based architecture and virtual DOM, developers can create applications in less time and with greater performance.

II. Server Side Rendering

When discussing ReactJS, server-side rendering (SSR) and client-side rendering (CSR) should be discussed in tandem as there are pros and cons to both. Both SSR and CSR are popular choices for web developers when building web applications using ReactJS.

Server Side Rendering

Server-side rendering involves initially loading a framework and data for the ReactJS application from the web server and then sending the application code to the browser. As the code is already stored within the server, this allows the page to load in a shorter amount of time than if code had to be loaded from the browser. This also allows for faster page loading when switching between pages as the application code is pre-loaded. Additionally, server-side rendering improves the performance of dynamic content in the application as the back-end is responsible for rendering the page with the most up-to-date content.

Client Side Rendering

On the other hand, client-side rendering is the process of sending the ReactJS application to the browser, where the code is ran and the page is generated using the browser’s engine. This approach is seen as more lightweight than server-side rendering and often makes pages load faster. Additionally, client-side rendering improves the overall security of the web application as there are no back-end requests which can be exploited to gain access to most sensitive data. Furthermore, client-side rendering allows the web application to render even when the connection between the server and the browser is interrupted.
ReactJS developers must consider a myriad of factors when comparing SSR and CSR as no single approach is flawless. Both approaches have unique advantages and disadvantages which need to be weighed. This comparison should be conducted on a per-project basis as the appropriate choice depends on the type of application and the specific requirements of the project.

III. Client Side Rendering

ReactJS is a Javascript library created by Facebook and has gained much reputation from developers because of its features like creating high performant and feature-rich user interfaces. It uses client side rendering, a process in which a server normally delivers static HTML pages to the user.

What Is Client-Side Rendering?

Client side rendering (CSR) is a technique for creating webpages on the client-side through JavaScript code. It involves the use of JavaScript code to create and present web pages in the browser. This code could be used to manipulate the DOM (Document object model) structure of the web page, modify its contents dynamically, respond to user interactions, and generally improve user experience. This technique provides developers with the ability to create very interactive web pages.

Benefits of Client-Side Rendering

The use of client-side rendering gives developers added flexibility and greater control of the web page design. This is particularly beneficial when the developer wishes to design a webpage in a certain way that is not easily achievable through standard HTML and CSS. It also allows developers to respond quickly to user interactions on the website without having to wait for the server to return a response. Furthermore, this technique enhances the user experience through increased interactivity on the webpage, better loading times and more fluid operation. Overall, client-side rendering provides developers with an important tool to make highly useful and eye-catching webpages.
ReactJS harnesses the advantages of client side rendering to create very innovative webpages and user interfaces. By utilizing this feature, developers are able to create extremely efficient and user-friendly components that are highly interactive and customizable. This makes ReactJS an incredibly valuable tool for developers as it simplifies a lot of the development processes, while also allowing them to create visually appealing user interfaces.

Conclusion

ReactJS is one of the fastest growing web technologies today, prompting the question: is it server side rendering or client side rendering? To answer this thought-provoking question, we must take a closer look at the components of ReactJS.
At its core, ReactJS is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, but it can also be used to create single-page applications. It can be used for both server side rendering and client side rendering. With server side rendering, the HTML is computed on the server and then sent to the client. Client side rendering, on the other hand, computes the HTML on the client-side, thus making the time to render the webpage shorter.
Whether one should opt for server side rendering or client side rendering is dependent on the use case: server side rendering excels in SEO related tasks, while client side rendering is more suited for faster loading and smooth transitions. Here at ReactJS blog, we strive to provide our readers with the latest updates on this ever-evolving technology. Be sure to follow us to stay informed about the new releases in the near future!
In the meantime, we have compiled the answers to the most frequently asked questions about ReactJS server side and client side rendering:
Q1. Where is the HTML computed in server side rendering?
A1. The HTML is always computed on the server with server side rendering.
Q2. What does client side rendering entail?
A2. Client side rendering involves the computation of HTML on the client-side, resulting in faster loading speed and smoother transitions.
Q3. How can ReactJS be used?
A3. ReactJS is a JavaScript library mainly used for building user interfaces, but it can also be used to create single-page applications.
Q4. What are the advantages of server side rendering?
A4. Server side rendering excels in search engine optimization-related tasks and can provide a better user experience.
Q5. What are the advantages of client side rendering?
A5. Client side rendering is best at performing faster loading processes, making the website transition smoother and more efficient.