React Server Components Without Next.js

Ben Holmes and Anthony Campolo explore React Server Components in RedwoodJS, discussing the framework's evolution and demonstrating an AI chatbot using experimental RSC features.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Ben Holmes hosts Anthony Campolo to discuss and demonstrate React Server Components (RSC) in RedwoodJS. They explore Redwood’s transition from a GraphQL-based framework to incorporating RSCs, highlighting the challenges and opportunities this shift presents. The conversation covers the current state of Redwood’s RSC implementation, its experimental nature, and how it compares to other frameworks like Next.js. They showcase a working AI chatbot demo built with Redwood’s RSC features, discussing the technical aspects and potential future developments. The episode also touches on broader topics in web development, including the evolution of various frameworks and the challenges of adopting new technologies.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Overview

This chapter introduces the stream’s topic: React Server Components without Next.js, focusing on RedwoodJS. Ben Holmes and Anthony Campolo discuss Redwood’s position as one of the first mature frameworks to release an experimental version of React Server Components. They touch on Redwood’s history as a GraphQL-focused framework and its transition towards RSCs. The conversation highlights the challenges of implementing RSCs and the framework’s goal to provide a full-featured alternative to Next.js for those wanting to use server components.

07:20 - Background on RedwoodJS and Anthony’s Involvement

Anthony Campolo provides background on his involvement with RedwoodJS and his career in web development. He explains how he first got involved with Redwood during its early days and his journey through various roles in the tech industry. The discussion covers the evolution of Redwood, its unique features like role-based access control, and how it compares to other frameworks. They also touch on the challenges of maintaining community involvement and the decision to implement React Server Components in Redwood.

15:28 - Exploring Redwood’s React Server Components Implementation

This chapter covers the technical aspects of Redwood’s React Server Components implementation. Ben and Anthony discuss the current state of the implementation, its experimental nature, and how it differs from Redwood’s traditional architecture. They explore the challenges of integrating RSCs with Redwood’s existing features, such as its GraphQL integration and scaffolding abilities. The conversation also touches on the potential future direction of Redwood’s architecture and how RSCs might be fully integrated into the framework.

27:20 - Setting Up and Running the RSC Demo

Ben and Anthony walk through the process of setting up and running a Redwood RSC demo featuring an AI chatbot. They encounter and troubleshoot various issues, demonstrating the experimental nature of the implementation. The discussion covers topics such as environment setup, API key configuration, and the challenges of working with cutting-edge features. This section provides insights into the current developer experience of working with Redwood’s RSC implementation.

39:20 - Analyzing the RSC Demo Code and Performance

This chapter focuses on analyzing the code and performance of the Redwood RSC demo. Ben and Anthony examine the structure of the application, discussing the use of server components, suspense, and the AI.jsx library. They explore the implications of the server-side rendering approach and its impact on bundle size and performance. The conversation touches on the differences between this implementation and traditional client-side React applications, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of the RSC approach.

59:23 - Broader Discussion on Framework Evolution and Web Development Trends

In the final chapter, the conversation broadens to discuss wider trends in web development and framework evolution. Ben and Anthony compare Redwood’s approach to other frameworks like Next.js, Remix, and Svelte, discussing the challenges of adopting new technologies and the different philosophies behind various frameworks. They touch on topics such as the impact of React’s decisions on the wider ecosystem, the challenges of backwards compatibility, and the future directions of web development frameworks. The discussion provides valuable insights into the current state and future of web development technologies.