Data fetching in Next.js with getServerSideProps and getStaticProps

Next.js has evolved its data fetching methods to improve server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and client-side data handling for React components, transitioning from the older getInitialProps to the more efficient getServerSideProps and getStaticProps methods introduced in version 9.3. getInitialProps, used in previous versions, fetched data server-side before rendering, but often resulted in duplicate fetching due to its execution on both server and client sides. The newer methods split responsibilities, with getServerSideProps handling SSR by fetching data server-side during initial requests, ensuring up-to-date data, while getStaticProps pre-renders pages at build time for faster load times and reduced server load, making it ideal for content that changes infrequently. Despite the transition, getInitialProps remains supported for backward compatibility, particularly for complex data fetching logic or legacy projects. The migration to these new methods enhances performance and predictability, with optimizations like smarter caching further improving efficiency in Next.js applications.