SG vs. SSR in Next.js Web Applications

Written by Ashwani Sharma | Dec 9, 2024 8:15:00 AM

Next.js, a React-based framework, has revolutionized the way developers build modern web applications. Its ability to support both Static Generation (SG) and Server-
Side Rendering (SSR) makes it a versatile tool for various use cases. Understanding the key differences between SG and SSR is crucial for optimizing performance, user experience, and development workflows.

This article delves into SG and SSR, exploring their features, benefits, drawbacks, and practical use cases in Next.js.

Static Generation (SG)

Static Generation is a method where HTML pages are generated at build time. These pages are served as static files to the users, resulting in fast load times and improved performance. Nextjs developers can leverage this technique to create high-performance websites and web applications.

Key Features:

1. Pages are pre-rendered during build time.
2. Content is served from a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
3. Best suited for pages with content that rarely changes.

Example of SG in Next.js:

// pages/index.js
export async function getStaticProps() {
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data').then(res => res.json());

return {
props: { data },
};
}

export default function Home({ data }) {
return (
<div>
<h1>Static Generation Example</h1>
<pre>{JSON.stringify(data, null, 2)}</pre>
</div>
);
}

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Server-Side Rendering generates HTML pages on the server for each request. This method ensures that users always receive the latest data.

Key Features:

1. Pages are rendered dynamically on each request.
2. Suitable for content that changes frequently.
3. Requires a server to handle requests and rendering.

Example of SSR in Next.js:

// pages/index.js
export async function getServerSideProps(context) {
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data').then(res => res.json());

return {
props: { data },
};
}

export default function Home({ data }) {
return (
<div>
<h1>Server-Side Rendering Example</h1>
<pre>{JSON.stringify(data, null, 2)}</pre>
</div>
);
}

SG vs SSR: Key Differences

1. Rendering Time:

- SG: HTML is generated at build time.

- SSR: HTML is generated at runtime (per request).

2. Performance:

- SG: Faster as pages are pre-built and served from a CDN.

- SSR: Slower due to on-demand server rendering.

3. Data Freshness:

- SG: Data is as fresh as the last build.

- SSR: Always up-to-date as it fetches data on each request.

4. Scalability:

- SG: Highly scalable due to CDN-first delivery.

- SSR: Limited scalability due to server-side processing.

When to Use SG vs SSR

👉Use Static Generation when:

Content changes infrequently (e.g., blogs, marketing sites).
Performance and scalability are top priorities.

👉Use Server-Side Rendering when:

Content changes frequently (e.g., dashboards, news feeds).
SEO is crucial for dynamic content.

Conclusion

Both SG and SSR offer unique advantages, and the choice depends on your application’s requirements. Next.js provides the flexibility to use either method or even a combination of both, enabling developers to build high-performing and user-centric web applications.
By understanding the strengths and limitations of SG and SSR, you can make informed decisions that enhance both developer experience and user satisfaction.

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