Modern Next.js Patterns and Best Practices

Next.js has revolutionized how we build React applications. Server Components, introduced in Next.js 13, represent a paradigm shift in how we think about rendering and data fetching.

Server Components vs Client Components

Server Components render on the server and send only the final HTML to the client, reducing JavaScript bundle size. Client Components are interactive and run in the browser.

Key Differences

• Server Components: Access databases directly, keep sensitive info secure
• Client Components: Handle interactivity, use hooks and context

Edge Functions

Deploy functions to the edge for ultra-low latency. Perfect for authentication, redirects, and middleware operations.

Optimization Strategies

Use dynamic imports for code splitting, implement streaming for faster page loads, and leverage Next.js Image component for optimized images.