Server and Client Composition Patterns
As developers working with Next.js, understanding how to effectively compose Server and Client Components is crucial for building efficient and scalable applications. In this post, we'll explore various patterns and best practices for composing Server and Client Components in Next.js.
Understanding Server and Client Components
Before diving into composition patterns, let's quickly recap when to use Server and Client Components:
Server Component Patterns
1. Sharing Data Between Components
When you need to share data across different components on the server, instead of using React Context (which isn't available on the server), you can use fetch or React's cache function. These methods automatically memoize data requests, preventing duplicate fetches.
async function getData() {
const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
return res.json()
}
// In multiple components:
const data = await getData()
2. Keeping Server-Only Code Secure
To prevent server-only code from being accidentally used on the client, use the server-only package:
import 'server-only'
export async function getData() {
const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data', {
headers: { authorization: process.env.API_KEY },
})
return res.json()
}
This will throw a build-time error if a Client Component tries to import this module.
3. Using Third-Party Packages and Providers
When using third-party components that aren't yet adapted for Server Components, wrap them in a Client Component:
'use client'
import { ThirdPartyComponent } from 'third-party-library'
export default ThirdPartyComponent
This allows you to use the third-party component within Server Components.
4. Implementing Context Providers
Since context providers typically use React state, they need to be Client Components. Here's how to implement them:
// app/theme-provider.tsx
'use client'
import { createContext } from 'react'
export const ThemeContext = createContext({})
export default function ThemeProvider({ children }) {
return <ThemeContext.Provider value="dark">{children}</ThemeContext.Provider>
}
// app/layout.tsx
import ThemeProvider from './theme-provider'
export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
return (
<html>
<body>
<ThemeProvider>{children}</ThemeProvider>
</body>
</html>
)
}
Client Component Patterns
1. Moving Client Components Down the Tree
To optimize performance, move Client Components as far down the component tree as possible:
// app/layout.tsx
import SearchBar from './searchbar' // Client Component
import Logo from './logo' // Server Component
export default function Layout({ children }) {
return (
<>
<nav>
<Logo />
<SearchBar />
</nav>
<main>{children}</main>
</>
)
}
2. Passing Server Component Data to Client Components
When passing data from Server to Client Components, ensure the data is serializable:
// Server Component
import ClientComponent from './ClientComponent'
export default async function ServerComponent() {
const data = await fetchData()
return <ClientComponent data={data} />
}
3. Interleaving Server and Client Components
You can nest Server Components within Client Components by passing them as props:
// app/client-component.tsx
'use client'
export default function ClientComponent({ children }) {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0)
return (
<>
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>{count}</button>
{children}
</>
)
}
// app/page.tsx
import ClientComponent from './client-component'
import ServerComponent from './server-component'
export default function Page() {
return (
<ClientComponent>
<ServerComponent />
</ClientComponent>
)
}
This pattern allows you to render Server Components within Client Components while maintaining the separation of server and client code.
Conclusion
Mastering these Server and Client Component composition patterns is key to building efficient Next.js applications. By understanding when and how to use each type of component, you can create performant, interactive, and secure web applications that leverage the strengths of both server-side and client-side rendering.
Remember, the goal is to minimize client-side JavaScript while maximizing interactivity where needed. With these patterns in your toolkit, you're well-equipped to make the most of Next.js's powerful features.
Thanks for reading! If you want to read more of my articles, you can find them here. Feel free to get in touch.
I always enjoy talking and sharing experiences with other developers.
Software Engineer | Full Stack Developer | C# | React | Angular | Azure
3 个月Insightful
Lead Fullstack Engineer | Typescript Software Engineer | Nestjs | Nodejs | Reactjs | AWS
4 个月Thanks for sharing
Senior Software Engineer | Front End Developer | React | NextJS | TypeScript | Tailwind | AWS | CI/CD | Clean Code | Jest | TDD
4 个月Excellent article! Congrats Rubens Gouveia
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4 个月Very helpful!
.NET Developer | C# | TDD | Angular | Azure | SQL
4 个月Insightful guide on Next.js Server and Client Component patterns, covering secure data handling, optimization, and interleaving for efficient, interactive apps. Thanks for sharing this great post!