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Curriculum
Let's learn about server components in Next.js. This is our favourite topic of discussion and we have been referring it throughout the course.
In this lesson, let's go over what Server Components are, how they work, and how they are different from Client Components.
Now that we understand what Server and Client components are, let's see how we can create a Server Component.
For example, if you create a component like this:
Like I mentioned earlier, if you don't add the use client directive to a component, it will be a Server Component by default in the Next.js app router.
Here are some of the benefits of using Server Components:
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 💨Less JavaScript | Smaller bundles, faster load, better performance |
| 🔒No data leaks to client | You can access secrets, DB, and private APIs directly in components |
| 🧠Simpler code | No need for fetch(), useEffect, or APIs just to show a list of items |
| 📦Better UX | Streaming + partial updates = faster perceived response times |
| 🧱Cleaner architecture | You can co-locate UI with data-fetching logic without worrying about JS bloat |
Here are some of the cons of using Server Components:
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| ⏱️No Client-Side Interactivity | Cannot use browser APIs, event handlers, or React hooks like useState/useEffect |
| 💰Server Cost | More server resources are used and can increase server load and costs |
export default function MyComponent() {
return <div>Hello</div>;
}