Introduction to NextJS and Data Fetching

NextJS is a popular framework for building modern, React-based web applications with incredible performance and SEO capabilities. In this article, we will explore the key concepts of data fetching via client and server-side in Next.js.

Understanding Data Fetching

Data fetching is the way how we get the data that our apps rely on, either from APIs, databases, or other services. In NextJS, we have two ways to fetch data: client-side fetching and server-side fetching.

Client-Side Fetching

Client-side fetching means that the browser fetches the data after the page loads. This approach can lead to delayed content display, which can result in a poor user experience, especially on slower connections. Additionally, client-side fetching can also lead to SEO problems, as search engines might crawl the page before the data is fetched.

Server-Side Fetching

Server-side fetching, on the other hand, means that the server fetches the data before sending the HTML to the browser. This approach can provide a faster user experience, as the data is already available when the page loads. Server-side fetching is also more secure, as API credentials and sensitive operations are hidden from users.

Implementing Server-Side Fetching in NextJS

To implement server-side fetching in NextJS, we can use the getServerSideProps function. This function allows us to fetch data on the server and pass it as props to the page component.

Example Use Case

Let's consider an example where we want to fetch a list of users from an API and display it on a page. We can use the getServerSideProps function to fetch the data on the server and pass it as props to the page component.

[![Server-Side Fetching Example](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot1s-3rhfhzdt.png "Server-Side Fetching Example")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=1s)
[*Server-Side Fetching Example*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=1s)

When to Use Client-Side Fetching

While server-side fetching is generally preferred, there are scenarios where client-side fetching is more suitable. For example, when implementing features like lazy loading or real-time updates, client-side fetching can be more effective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, data fetching is a crucial aspect of building modern web applications. NextJS provides two ways to fetch data: client-side fetching and server-side fetching. While server-side fetching is generally preferred, client-side fetching has its own use cases. By understanding the differences between these two approaches, developers can make informed decisions about how to fetch data in their NextJS applications.

[![Client-Side Fetching Example](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot39s-d2raa197.png "Client-Side Fetching Example")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=39s)
[*Client-Side Fetching Example*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=39s)

[![Server-Side Fetching Example](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot85s-elcuyi5m.png "Server-Side Fetching Example")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=85s)
[*Server-Side Fetching Example*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=85s)

[![Data Fetching Example](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot140s-eb6fsost.png "Data Fetching Example")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=140s)
[*Data Fetching Example*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=140s)

[![NextJS Example](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot360s-lz96c8fu.png "NextJS Example")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=360s)
[*NextJS Example*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=360s)

[![Data Fetching Best Practices](https://cdn.gotest.app/vidcaptions/production/umdjl5qd3dcscreenshot442s-ku4pisqp.png "Data Fetching Best Practices")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=442s)
[*Data Fetching Best Practices*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umdjl5QD3Dc&t=442s)