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Server Side vs. Client Side Rendering in Web Applications: Understanding the Differences and Choosing the Right Approach

Web applications are built using different rendering approaches, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Two of the most popular rendering approaches are server side rendering (SSR) and client side rendering (CSR). In this article, we’ll explore the differences between SSR and CSR and when to use each approach in building web applications.

Server Side Rendering (SSR)

In server side rendering, the HTML for a web page is generated on the server and sent to the browser as a complete HTML document. The browser then parses and renders the HTML, and JavaScript is executed on the client side.

One of the main advantages of SSR is that it improves the initial load time of a web page, as the server sends the complete HTML document to the browser. Additionally, SSR is more SEO friendly, as search engine bots can easily crawl and index the HTML content of the page.

Here’s an example of Java JSF code for server side rendering:

<h:html>
  <h:head>
    <title>Server Side Rendering Example</title>
  </h:head>
  <h:body>
    <h:form>
      <h:inputText value="#{myBean.inputText}" />
      <h:commandButton value="Submit" action="#{myBean.submit}" />
      <h:outputText value="#{myBean.outputText}" />
    </h:form>
  </h:body>
</h:html>

Client Side Rendering (CSR)

In client side rendering, the HTML for a web page is generated on the client side using JavaScript. The server sends the raw data to the browser, and the client-side JavaScript framework generates and updates the HTML.

One of the main advantages of CSR is that it enables faster page transitions and a smoother user experience, as the client-side JavaScript framework can update the page without needing to refresh it. Additionally, CSR allows for more dynamic content and interactivity on a web page.

Here’s an example of React Native code for client side rendering:

import React, { useState } from 'react';

function App() {
  const [text, setText] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = () => {
    // Call an API to submit the form data
    // Once the response is received, update the state to display the output text
    setText('Output Text');
  }

  return (
    <div>
      <input type="text" onChange={(e) => setText(e.target.value)} />
      <button onClick={handleSubmit}>Submit</button>
      <p>{text}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

When to Use SSR vs CSR

In general, SSR is recommended for content-heavy websites or applications that require good SEO optimization, while CSR is recommended for applications that require high interactivity and user engagement. It’s important to consider the specific requirements of your application when deciding between SSR and CSR.

Conclusion

Server side rendering and client side rendering are two different approaches for rendering web applications, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. By understanding the differences between SSR and CSR, you can choose the right approach for your web application and ensure optimal performance, SEO optimization, and user experience.

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