Server side vs Client side rendering
Emon Das
#Client-Side-Rendering
#Server-Side-Rendering
Date: April 2, 2024
When it comes to building or owning a website, having it load quickly is always a top priority. Achieving this speed requires understanding how browsers turn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into a fully functional website. This process is known as the Critical Rendering Path. When your browser receives the HTML response from the server, there's a series of steps it goes through before your website's pixels actually appear on the screen. This sequence of steps, which the browser must complete before it can start painting the page, is what we call the critical render path. Now, choosing the right rendering method in the right situation can really make a difference for your business. There are two main rendering approaches that often cause confusion: Server-Side Rendering and Client-Side Rendering.
What we will learn from this blog:
1. What is Client Side Rendering?
2. How Client Side Rendering works?
3. Pros of Client Side Rendering.
4. Cons of Client Side Rendering.
5. What is Server Side Rendering?
6. How Server Side Rendering works?
7. Pros of Server Side Rendering.
8. Cons of Server Side Rendering.
What is Client Side Rendering:
Client-side rendering (CSR) is an approach used in web development where the rendering of web pages is primarily handled by the user's web browser rather than by the server. In client-side rendering, the server typically sends a minimal HTML document to the browser, which includes links to CSS and JavaScript files. Once the browser receives this initial HTML document, it parses it and starts rendering the page structure. Then, it downloads and executes the linked JavaScript files. These JavaScript files are responsible for fetching data from a server or other sources and dynamically updating the HTML content in the browser. Client-side rendering is commonly used in modern web applications.
How Client Side Rendering works:
When you type a website's URL into your browser's address bar, your browser sends a request to the server where that website is hosted. The server responds by sending back the basic files needed to display the website, like the HTML structure and any associated CSS files for styling. Now, here's where things get interesting. Along with those files, the server also sends a link to a JavaScript file. This JavaScript contains instructions for your browser on how to dynamically update and add content to the webpage. Once your browser receives these files, it starts by downloading and processing the JavaScript. This JavaScript code is responsible for generating and updating the content of the webpage directly in your browser.
Pros of Client Side Rendering:
Interactivity:When your website or web application requires frequent updates and interactions without full page reloads, CSR allows for a smoother user experience by updating content dynamically.
Rich User Interfaces (UIs):If you need to create complex user interfaces with interactive elements, animations, and transitions, CSR provides the flexibility and control needed to achieve these effects.
Asynchronous Data Loading:CSR is suitable for applications that fetch data from multiple sources asynchronously and need to update the user interface in real-time based on user actions or data changes.
Scalability:CSR can also be beneficial for scalability as it reduces the load on the server by not requiring full page rendering for every request.
Cons of Client Side Rendering:
SEO Challenges:Search engines might have difficulty indexing content that relies heavily on JavaScript execution. Crawlers may not be able to see the content generated by JavaScript, potentially impacting your website's search ranking.
Accessibility Concerns:Users with slow internet connections, JavaScript disabled, or outdated browsers might experience issues viewing or interacting with the content. It's crucial to ensure a basic level of functionality for these users.
Initial Load Complexity:For complex interactions, extensive client-side code might be needed, potentially increasing the initial page load time after the JavaScript kicks in. This can be mitigated by code optimization and techniques like code splitting.
What is Server Side Rendering:
Server-side rendering (SSR) is a method used in web development where the server generates the complete HTML content for a webpage and sends it to the client's browser. In other words, the server processes the request, executes any necessary code (such as fetching data from a database or performing server-side logic), and constructs the HTML page before sending it to the browser.
How Server Side Rendering works:
When you visit a website, your browser sends a request to the server hosting that website. With server-side rendering, the server does most of the heavy lifting. It takes the URL you requested, fetches any necessary data, and builds the entire webpage, complete with HTML content, CSS styling, and JavaScript functionality. Once the server has put everything together, it sends the fully-formed HTML page back to your browser. From there, your browser can start rendering the page immediately without needing to wait for additional resources or processing.
Pros of Server Side Rendering:
Improved SEO (Search Engine Optimization):SSR sends a fully rendered HTML page to the browser, including all content. Search engines can easily crawl and index this content, leading to better search ranking potential for your website.
Faster Initial Render:The server pre-renders the HTML content, resulting in a quicker initial display of the page in the browser. This can be especially beneficial for users on slower internet connections.
Accessibility:Even if JavaScript is disabled in the user's browser, they can still access and interact with the core content because it's already delivered in the initial HTML response. This ensures a good user experience for everyone.
Reduced Client-Side Load:Since the server handles the rendering, the browser has less work to do initially. This can be helpful for users with less powerful devices or slower connections.
Cons of Server Side Rendering:
Server Load:Every request requires the server to render the HTML content, which can put more strain on server resources compared to CSR. This might require a more robust server setup for handling high traffic.
User interaction:User interactions are limited with server-side rendering: Only standard HTML elements are available, and everything that needs additional JavaScript in the browser can make the application unwieldy over time.
Limited Offline Functionality:Since SSR relies on server-rendered content, users might have limited functionality if they lose internet connection. This can be mitigated by caching techniques or offering progressive enhancement with basic offline functionality.