Tutorial 51 of Next.js 14 – Understanding the RSC Rendering Lifecycle

In the wild world of Next.js, understanding the rendering lifecycle is like peeking behind the curtain in a magic show. 🎩 Your browser, Next.js, and React dance together to bring web pages to life. Server components serve up JSON magic, while client components add the interactive flair. Think of it as a recipe: Next.js mixes the ingredients (RSC payload) on the server and serves it up to your browser, where React adds the final touches, transforming static displays into interactive experiences. So, while you munch on your digital feast, know that the magic happens both in the kitchen and at your table. 🍽️✨

Understanding the Rendering Life Cycle of Server and Client Components 🔄

In our previous videos, we delved into the server and client components in Next.js. This time, we will explore the intricate rendering life cycle of these components. Knowing this process is not mandatory for building Next.js apps, but it’s akin to understanding the workings of the kitchen before your meal arrives at your table. It’s not essential for enjoying your meal, but definitely interesting.

Initial Loading Sequence 🚀

When your browser requests a page, the Next.js app router matches the URL to a server component. Next.js then instructs React to render that server component and any child components, converting them into a special Json format known as the RSC payload. Meanwhile, on the server, HTML is streamed to your browser to show a fast, non-interactive preview of the route. This is the initial loading sequence of the RSC rendering life cycle.

RSC Payload Features 📦

Update Sequence 💡

When a browser requests a refetch of a specific UI, such as a full route, Next.js processes the request and instructs React to render the component tree. Unlike the initial sequence, there is no HTML generation for updates. Instead, Next.js progressively streams the response data back to the client. Upon receiving the streamed response, Next.js triggers a render of the route using the new output. This enables React to reconcile or merge the new rendered output with the existing components on screen.

Server Rendering Strategies 🌐

Next.js provides three server rendering strategies: static rendering, dynamic rendering, and streaming. Each of these strategies offers distinct advantages when rendering server and client components.

Server Rendering Strategies Comparison 📈

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