Jamstack architecture

Exploring Different Rendering Types

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the four primary rendering types in web development: SPA (Single Page Application), SSG (Static Site Generation), SSR (Server-Side Rendering), and ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration). We’ll examine their key features, advantages, and limitations, allowing you to make an informed choice for your web projects.

SPA: Single Page Application (Client-Side Rendering)

Single Page Applications, also known as CSR, employ client-side rendering, where the HTML is rendered on the client side. Here’s a detailed look at SPA:

Rendering Location: Client SPA renders HTML on the client side. It returns the HTML on the initial request, which can be either static or dynamic. JavaScript and CSS code within the HTML is fetched separately.

Page Rendering Start Time: Upon Receiving Response The rendering begins when the response is received, which can result in a slightly slower initial display.

Page Content Freshness: ★★★ SPA maintains good content freshness.

SEO: ★ SPAs have limited SEO capabilities.

Display Speed: ★★ The initial display speed is reasonable, as API calls may be required for additional content.

OGP for Each Page: ✕ SPAs do not offer Open Graph Protocol (OGP) tags for each page.

Security: ★ While SPAs offer basic security, they are not as robust as other options.

Server Load: ★★ Server load is moderate in SPA.

SPA provides an interactive user experience but has limitations in terms of SEO and server load.

SSG: Static Site Generation

Static Site Generation is the second rendering type, which pre-generates HTML, JavaScript, and CSS on the server side and stores them in a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Let’s explore SSG:

Rendering Location: Server SSG generates and serves static content on the server side.

Page Rendering Start Time: Upon Receiving Request The page is generated in response to the user’s request, ensuring an up-to-date display.

Page Content Freshness: ★ Content may become outdated depending on the generation frequency.

SEO: ★★★ SSG excels in SEO optimization.

Display Speed: ★★ The display speed is consistently good.

OGP for Each Page: ★★★ SSG provides Open Graph Protocol (OGP) tags for each page.

Security: ★★★ SSG offers strong security features.

Server Load: ★★ While server load is reasonable, it’s not as light as CSR.

SSG combines speed and SEO optimization, but content freshness can be a concern.

SSR: Server-Side Rendering

Server-Side Rendering involves rendering content on the server side, guaranteeing real-time data updates. Here’s what you need to know about SSR:

Rendering Location: Server SSR renders content on the server side, ensuring the displayed content is always up-to-date.

Page Rendering Start Time: Upon Receiving Request Content is generated upon request, resulting in up-to-date displays.

Page Content Freshness: ★ SSR excels in content freshness.

SEO: ★★★ SSR is highly SEO-friendly.

Display Speed: ★ Initial rendering can be slower, and server load is higher compared to SSG.

OGP for Each Page: ★★★ SSR provides Open Graph Protocol (OGP) tags for each page.

Security: ★ SSR offers a good level of security.

Server Load: ★★★ SSR can impose a significant server load.

SSR ensures real-time content but may experience slower initial rendering and higher server load.

ISR: Incremental Static Regeneration

Incremental Static Regeneration, similar to SSR, generates pages on client request but caches them for subsequent use. Let’s explore ISR:

Rendering Location: Server ISR generates pages on the server side, ensuring up-to-date content.

Page Rendering Start Time: Upon Initial Request (within expiration period) Pages are generated upon the initial request, making server start-up faster.

Page Content Freshness: ★★★ ISR maintains excellent content freshness.

SEO: ★★★ ISR is highly SEO-friendly, like SSR.

Display Speed: ★★★ The display speed is excellent, especially for subsequent requests.

OGP for Each Page: ★★★ ISR provides Open Graph Protocol (OGP) tags for each page.

Security: ★★★ Security features are robust in ISR.

Server Load: ★★★ While not as heavy as SSR, ISR imposes a moderate server load.

ISR balances content freshness and display speed, making it a versatile choice.

Conclusion

In this detailed comparison of rendering types, we’ve explored SPA, SSG, SSR, and ISR. Each rendering type has its unique strengths and limitations, making them suitable for different use cases. Consider your project’s specific requirements, such as SEO, content freshness, display speed, and server load, to make an informed choice. Whether you prioritize real-time content updates, SEO optimization, or a combination of both, there’s a rendering type that’s right for your web development needs.