Next.js introduced a new paradigm with Server Components, allowing developers to write UI that renders entirely on the server. This has profound implications for performance and data fetching.
What are Server Components?
Unlike traditional React components that run in the browser, Server Components execute on the server during the request-response lifecycle. They can directly access server-side resources like databases without needing an API layer.
Benefits:
- Zero Bundle Size: Server Components don't send any JavaScript to the client, reducing the amount of code users have to download.
- Direct Data Access: Fetch data directly from your database or other server-side sources.
- Improved Security: Keep sensitive data and logic on the server, never exposing it to the client.
Server Components are a game-changer for building large-scale, performant web applications.
