Client Side Rendering
Introduction
Client-side rendering (CSR) is a popular method for developing modern web applications. It makes the user experience more dynamic, smoother, faster, and interactive. This approach to web application development offers numerous advantages, including increased flexibility, performance, and scalability.
CSR, in particular, has become a popular method for developing single-page applications, emphasizing the distinction between websites and web applications.
What is Client Side Rendering?
Client-side rendering is a process in which web page content is generated and updated dynamically within the user’s browser using JavaScript rather than the standard method in which everything happens on the server. The server only renders the basic HTML code of the web page, while the parts required to display the content, such as complete logic, templates, routing, and data fetching, are rendered using JavaScript within the browser, which is the client. That is why this approach is known as CSR.
The application uses JavaScript to retrieve data and render UI components in this approach to developing a web application. While the user is using the application, the application sends data update requests to the server, which responds with updated data. Only then does the application render the UI, displaying the updated data.
Client Side Rendering – Pros and Cons
Each method for developing modern web applications has advantages and disadvantages.
Scalability is critical for most modern web applications today, and CSR’s approach provides exactly that. Because the server’s role in this approach is more about providing data rather than rendering, the CSR approach allows for greater scalability. Scalability is typically defined as a web application’s ability to handle an increasing number of customers, clients, or users while remaining responsive to all users.
CSR enables a fast and responsive web application. The first page to load may be a little slower, but each subsequent page is fast and responsive. This occurs because, after the first page load, the application does not need to send a request to the server to load it again, but instead only needs to pull data and update the UI with new data.
CSR enables a much more interactive web application for the user. Users can interact with the web application in real time because the rendering will be done on the client side and there will be no need to wait for a response from the server to update the UI. This approach is appropriate for more complex, frequently updated web applications. Chat applications and social networks are two examples of such web applications.
Because of the aforementioned advantages, CSR has grown in popularity as a tool for developing single-page applications.
The first issue that arises when discussing the shortcomings of the CSR approach is the issue of browser compatibility. Because the majority of the work is done on the client side and is dependent on the browser used by the client, rendering can be more sensitive. JavaScript code may behave differently depending on the browser and version.
Although the CSR approach allows for fast web applications, the initial loading of the page can be quite slow. Before rendering the UI, the user’s browser must first download and execute the JavaScript code, which can take some time.
Without Search Engine Optimization (SEO), it is difficult to mention any website or web application. Because the content changes frequently, SEO is extremely difficult for a CSR approach. As a result, the CSR approach makes it difficult for search engines to index dynamic JavaScript content.
When to use Client Side Rendering?
The benefits and drawbacks of CSR listed above may help answer this question. It all depends on the type of web application required by the client.
If it is necessary to develop a real-time data application. In such a case, the CSR approach is an excellent choice. The benefit is that the user interface is updated in real-time, eliminating the need to refresh the entire page. It is also a practical approach when the web application contains a lot of dynamic data.
CSR is the best approach for the previously mentioned single-page applications (SPAs). SPAs are web applications that load a single HTML page and dynamically change its content based on user interaction. CSR is the preferred option for SPAs because the entire process takes place on the client side.
CSR can provide a smooth user experience when a web application requires a lot of user interaction and has an interactive, demanding UI. A web application with drag-and-drop functionality is an example of an application with a demanding UI interface. In this situation, the CSR approach is ideal because it can completely meet such requirements.
The CSR approach is appropriate when the web application is expected to enter data rather than simply read content, as is typically the case with websites.
When the emphasis is on rich web applications with a large user base.
Best practices for Client Side Rendering
If best practices are not followed, the CSR approach will have little impact.
The first thing to consider when implementing CSR is the application performance and optimization. Techniques such as lazy loading and caching are commonly used to improve the performance of a web application.
Because JavaScript code can behave differently in different browsers, it is best to test the web application in multiple browsers to ensure compatibility and consistency in different environments.
Front-end frameworks such as Angular, React, and Vue are ideal for implementing the CSR approach. Aside from traditional implementation, these frameworks aid in the organization, management, and optimization of web application performance. Other front-end frameworks exist, but the three mentioned above are widely regarded as the best and most popular when it comes to the CSR approach.
In some cases, focusing solely on the benefits of the CSR approach will not suffice to complete the web application, it will also be necessary to address the disadvantages of this approach. If SEO is still a priority for a web application with a CSR approach, which is common, consider using server-side rendering (SSR) for the initial loading of the page in conjunction with the CSR approach for other user interactions. In this way, SEO for a web application that primarily uses a CSR approach, such as a single-page application, can be improved.
Conclusion
Client-side rendering is a popular approach for developing web applications that provide numerous benefits and enhances the user experience. Furthermore, numerous disadvantages to this approach cannot be overlooked. Regardless, this approach has found a home in the development of modern web applications and is here to stay. All flaws are potential problems, and all problems have solutions, and developers can achieve a smooth and efficient user experience in their web applications by following best practices.
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