React has evolved significantly since its inception. Gone are the days of class components and lifecycle methods being the only way to manage state. With the introduction of Hooks and now Server Components, the landscape of web development has shifted towards more performance-oriented architectures.
The Shift to Server Components
React Server Components (RSC) allow developers to render components on the server, reducing the amount of JavaScript sent to the client. This results in faster initial page loads and improved SEO. It's not just an optimization; it's a paradigm shift in how we think about the boundary between server and client.
"The best JavaScript is no JavaScript. Server Components let us keep the logic on the server and only ship interactivity to the browser."
Managing State Effectively
While Redux used to be the default, modern React relies heavily on Context, Zustand, or server-state management tools like TanStack Query. Understanding when to use global state versus local component state is crucial for application performance.
