Demystifying Modern Websites: Explained!

Demystifying Modern Websites: Explained!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Server-side Rendering (SSR)
3. Client-side Rendering (CSR)
4. Server-side Generation (SSG)
5. Pros and Cons of SSR, CSR, and SSG
6. Server-side Rendering vs. Client-side Rendering
7. Server-side Rendering vs. Server-side Generation
8. How to Choose the Right Rendering Method
9. Best Practices for Structuring Websites
10. Conclusion

Article

Introduction

In today's modern web, there are different methods of rendering web pages: server-side rendering (SSR), client-side rendering (CSR), and server-side generation (SSG). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and understanding the differences between them is crucial for web developers. In this article, we will explore what SSR, CSR, and SSG mean and how they work.

Server-side Rendering (SSR)

Server-side rendering refers to the process of rendering a web page on the server and sending the fully rendered HTML document to the client. This means that the server generates the complete page, including the layout, content, and functionality. When the client requests the web page, they receive a fully functional HTML document that can be viewed even without JavaScript. Popular applications like Google.com use server-side rendering.

The main advantage of SSR is that it allows the page to be visible to the user quickly, as the server renders the full page before sending it to the client. However, SSR can be resource-intensive, especially if the server has to generate the page for every single request. This becomes especially problematic with high traffic and when using JavaScript-heavy frameworks like Node.js.

Client-side Rendering (CSR)

Client-side rendering involves sending static assets, such as an index.html file and script.js file, to the client. The client's browser then constructs the webpage's Document Object Model (DOM) using JavaScript. This means that the client's browser needs to wait for the JavaScript to load completely before rendering the page. If the user accesses a client-side rendered app without JavaScript enabled, they will only see a blank page.

CSR is commonly used for internal applications or dashboards where quick development and deployment are prioritized over performance. However, CSR has drawbacks in terms of speed and performance, as it is reliant on JavaScript and can lead to delays in page visibility.

Server-side Generation (SSG)

Server-side generation combines the benefits of both server-side rendering and static websites. With SSG, the server still generates a server-side rendered page, but instead of dynamically generating the page for each request, it stores the fully rendered HTML document on a Content Delivery Network (CDN). When a client requests the page, the CDN checks if it already has a cached version of the page. If it does, the CDN immediately sends the cached page, significantly reducing response time.

The advantage of SSG is that it provides the speed and performance benefits of a static website, while still allowing for server-side rendering when needed. Additionally, the CDN can be configured to revalidate the page at regular intervals, meaning the backend server only has to handle requests for revalidation every few seconds or minutes, reducing the load on the server.

Pros and Cons of SSR, CSR, and SSG

• Server-side Rendering (SSR):

  • Pros:
  • Quick page visibility for users
  • Works without JavaScript
  • Cons:
  • Resource-intensive for server
  • Slower performance compared to SSG

• Client-side Rendering (CSR):

  • Pros:
  • Quick development and deployment
  • Easy to work with JavaScript frameworks like React
  • Cons:
  • Reliant on JavaScript, can lead to delays in page visibility
  • Performance bottlenecks due to JavaScript execution

• Server-side Generation (SSG):

  • Pros:
  • Fast page loading through CDN caching
  • Combines the benefits of SSR and static websites
  • Cons:
  • Requires additional implementation with CDN
  • Limited control over dynamic content

Server-side Rendering vs. Client-side Rendering

Server-side rendering and client-side rendering are two different methods for rendering web pages. SSR involves rendering the page on the server and sending the fully rendered HTML document to the client, while CSR involves sending static assets to the client and then constructing the DOM using JavaScript.

The choice between SSR and CSR depends on the specific use case. SSR is ideal when quick page visibility is crucial, but it can be resource-intensive. CSR is useful for internal applications or single-page apps that prioritize quick development, but it relies heavily on JavaScript and can lead to delays in page rendering.

Server-side Rendering vs. Server-side Generation

While server-side rendering (SSR) and server-side generation (SSG) are similar in terms of rendering pages on the server, there is a critical difference between the two. SSR involves generating the full page on the server for every request, while SSG stores the rendered HTML document on a CDN and only revalidates it periodically. SSG offers the benefits of server-side rendering in terms of page visibility but reduces the load on the server by utilizing caching.

How to Choose the Right Rendering Method

Choosing the right rendering method depends on the specific requirements of the website or application. In general, a combination of server-side generation and client-side data fetching is recommended. This approach allows for fast page loading through CDN caching while still providing the ability to fetch dynamic content on demand. By structuring the website to render static parts as server-side generated and dynamic parts as client-side fetched, developers can achieve a balance between performance and user experience.

Best Practices for Structuring Websites

Structuring websites can greatly impact their performance and user experience. It is recommended to use server-side generation (SSG) for rendering static parts of the website, as this allows for faster page loading through CDN caching. Dynamic parts that are unique to each user can be rendered through client-side data fetching, utilizing server-side rendering only when necessary.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between server-side rendering (SSR), client-side rendering (CSR), and server-side generation (SSG) is essential for modern web development. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, and selecting the appropriate rendering method depends on the specific use case and requirements of the website or application. Combining server-side generation and client-side data fetching is often the best approach, providing fast page loading and a great user experience.