SPA Are Dead, Long Live SPA

Single-Page Applications (SPAs) have dominated web application development for the past decade due to their improved user experience and developer convenience, but they face challenges such as increased load times due to the heavy reliance on client-side JavaScript. To address these issues, Server-Side Rendering (SSR) was introduced to enhance initial load times, but it did not fundamentally change the approach to SPAs. Recent developments in frameworks like React, through Next.js, and new players like Qwik, aim to shift more processing back to the server, reducing client-side dependency. React is focusing on server components and server actions to minimize JavaScript bundle sizes and streamline data operations, while Qwik emphasizes incremental rendering to improve performance and user experience by focusing on essential components first. This shift signifies a move towards integrated client-server solutions, challenging the traditional SPA model and promoting a more efficient framework that balances server and client responsibilities.