Getting Started with React Server Components

React Server Components represent a fundamental shift in how we think about building React applications. They allow us to render components on the server, reducing the JavaScript bundle size and improving performance.

What are React Server Components?

Server Components are a new type of component that runs exclusively on the server. Unlike traditional components that run in the browser, Server Components:

• Execute during the build process or on each request
• Have direct access to server-side resources (databases, file systems)
• Don’t add to the client-side JavaScript bundle
• Cannot use browser-only APIs or event handlers

Key Benefits

Reduced Bundle Size

Since Server Components don’t ship to the client, they significantly reduce the JavaScript bundle size. This means faster page loads and better performance, especially on slower devices.

Direct Server Access

Server Components can directly access databases, file systems, and other server-side resources without needing API routes.

// This runs on the server
async function BlogPost({ id }) {
  const post = await db.posts.findById(id);
  
  return (
    <article>
      <h1>{post.title}</h1>
      <p>{post.content}</p>
    </article>
  );
}

Improved SEO

Since Server Components render on the server, the content is immediately available for search engines and social media crawlers.

Client vs Server Components

Understanding when to use each type is crucial:

• Server Components: Use for data fetching, static content, and components that don’t need interactivity
• Client Components: Use for interactive features, browser APIs, and stateful logic

Best Practices

1. Start with Server Components by default - Only use Client Components when you need interactivity
2. Keep the client-server boundary clear - Don’t pass complex objects between server and client
3. Optimize data fetching - Fetch data as close to where it’s needed as possible

React Server Components are still evolving, but they represent an exciting future for React development, offering better performance and developer experience.