Server-side rendering in Angular 16 and beyond

In recent updates, Angular has made significant strides in server-side rendering (SSR) by introducing non-destructive hydration in version 16 and further streamlining the process with the @angular/ssr package in version 17, effectively replacing the older Angular Universal package. This evolution addresses previous limitations, such as page flickering caused by destructive hydration, by reusing existing server-rendered DOM markup. The enhancements improve performance and user experience, particularly in applications where SEO and initial load times are crucial. Angular's SSR now offers a straightforward integration process compared to React and Vue, making it a compelling option for developers. Additionally, Angular 17 introduces other notable features, including improved SSR integration, support for TypeScript 5.2, and better type checking, enhancing the overall development experience. Despite these advancements, developers still face challenges like server-side data fetching and hydration errors, which require careful handling to ensure seamless application performance.