Ryan shares details of his custom RSC implementation, discussing how Server Actions allow referencing server-side code. They explore bundling and invoking Server Actions and the security concerns associated with blurring server and client. Topics include implementing server actions, encoding and decoding arguments, and the benefits of server actions in React apps.
Server actions allow client-side code to reference server-side code, simplifying data fetching and mutations.
Server actions can accept arguments, enabling dynamic behavior by including specific data or parameters.
Server components and server actions enhance the developer experience by simplifying server-side logic and providing better code organization.
Deep dives
Server components simplify data fetching
Server components make data fetching easier by removing the need for separate API endpoints. You can simply use server actions to make database calls or perform mutations without the extra setup. This eliminates the need for complex API logic and allows you to focus on writing react components that trigger these server actions.
Passing arguments to server actions
Server actions can accept arguments, making it easy to pass data from the client to the server. Arguments can be passed as form data or encoded as JSON strings using the encode/decode reply functions provided by React Server Components. This allows you to include specific data or parameters with your server actions, enabling more dynamic behavior in your application.
Benefits of server actions
Server actions offer several benefits, such as eliminating the need to set up API endpoints, simplifying data fetching and mutations, and providing a single paradigm for writing code that spans both the server and the client. By using server actions, you can avoid the complexity of traditional API setups and focus on building a seamless application that seamlessly integrates server-side functionality with client-side rendering.
Enhancing the developer experience
Server components, including server actions, can enhance the developer experience by abstracting away the complexity of server-side logic. By writing server actions that mimic the functionality of client-side components, you can simplify the codebase and create a more seamless development experience. Additionally, server actions provide a clear separation between client and server responsibilities, enabling better organization and maintainability of your code.
Future possibilities and considerations
As server components and server actions are still in the alpha stage, there are ongoing discussions and considerations for their usage. The React team is exploring ways to provide more guidance and tools for implementing server actions effectively and securely. However, it's important to be mindful of potential security concerns, such as leaking sensitive information or accepting untrusted data. As the community further adopts server components, best practices and patterns are expected to emerge for safer and more efficient usage.
Ryan continues to share the details behind his custom RSC implementation. He talks with Sam about how Server Actions allow the client to reference server-side code (in the same way client components allow the server to reference client-side code), how Server Actions are bundled and invoked, and the security concerns associated with blurring the lines between the server and the client.
Topics include:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Ryan’s course on React Server Components
3:06 - Motivating Server Actions, how to bundle them, and how to invoke them
27:38 - Sending arguments via hidden inputs or closures, and security concerns
