A Deep Dive into Next.js Server Actions and API Routes

Overview

Next.js has become one of the most popular frameworks for building React applications, offering features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes.

With the release of Next.js 13, a new feature called Server Actions simplifies server-side data handling. In this blog, we will explore Server Actions and API Routes, discuss their use cases, and highlight the differences to help you decide when to use each.

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Next.js Server Actions

Server Actions, introduced in Next.js 13, allow server-side operations to be handled directly within React components. They leverage React’s server actions API to simplify tasks like form submissions, data mutations, and interactions with databases or external APIs.

Key characteristics of Server Actions:

Server-only execution: Runs exclusively on the server.
Component integration: Called directly from React components.
Automatic bundling: Excluded from client-side JavaScript bundles.
Simplified form handling: Works seamlessly with HTML forms using the form

Next.js API Routes

API Routes are server-side functions defined in the /api directory. They are designed to create RESTful endpoints for handling HTTP requests like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.

Key characteristics of API Routes:

Custom HTTP methods: Handles various HTTP methods for flexibility.
Middleware integration: Supports authentication, validation, and logging.
Versatility: Suitable for complex logic, database interactions, and backend functionality.

Key Differences Between Server Actions and API Routes

Purpose

Server Actions simplify server-side workflows directly in React components, making them ideal for form submissions and database mutations tightly coupled to the UI. API Routes, however, are better suited for reusable RESTful endpoints serving multiple application parts or external clients.

Location and Structure

Server Actions are integrated within the app file structure and tied to components, offering a more cohesive development experience. API Routes, located in the /api directory, exist as standalone files, making them modular and reusable.

Execution Context

Server Actions execute exclusively on the server and do not expose HTTP endpoints. In contrast, API Routes are HTTP-accessible endpoints, usable by both the app and external systems.

HTTP Methods

Server Actions implicitly handle POST requests, simplifying implementation for data submissions. API Routes, however, allow explicit handling of GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and other HTTP methods, making them ideal for RESTful APIs.

Scalability and Reusability

Server Actions are tightly bound to specific components, limiting reusability. API Routes, being standalone, are more suitable for scalable, multi-client scenarios.

Use Cases for Server Actions

Server Actions excel in scenarios requiring simplicity and integration with React components:

Form Submissions: Handle form data directly without setting up API endpoints.
Database Mutations: Perform CRUD operations directly from components.
Server-Side Computations: Execute operations like sending emails or fetching third-party API data.
Small-Scale Applications: Ideal for lightweight projects without complex backend needs.

Use Cases for API Routes

API Routes are better for structured and complex backend requirements:

Reusable Endpoints: Serve multiple app components or external clients.
Complex Workflows: Handle multi-step processes, validation, and middleware.
Third-Party Integrations: Act as intermediaries for services like payment gateways.
Mobile Backends: Provide APIs for mobile or other non-web clients.

Examples of Implementation

Example: Server Action for Form Submission

'use server';
import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

async function submitContactForm(data) {
  const name = data.get('name');
  const email = data.get('email');
  const message = data.get('message');
  await saveToDatabase({ name, email, message });
  redirect('/thank-you');
}

export default function ContactPage() {
  return (
    <form action={submitContactForm}>
      <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Name" required />
      <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Email" required />
      <textarea name="message" placeholder="Message" required></textarea>
      <button type="submit">Send</button>
    </form>
  );
}

'use server';

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

async function submitContactForm(data) {

const name = data.get('name');

const email = data.get('email');

const message = data.get('message');

await saveToDatabase({ name, email, message });

redirect('/thank-you');

}

export default function ContactPage() {

return (

</form>

);

}

Example: API Route for CRUD Operations

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  switch (req.method) {
    case 'GET':
      const users = await fetchUsers();
      res.status(200).json(users);
      break;
    case 'POST':
      const user = await createUser(req.body);
      res.status(201).json(user);
      break;
    case 'PUT':
      const updatedUser = await updateUser(req.body);
      res.status(200).json(updatedUser);
      break;
    case 'DELETE':
      await deleteUser(req.body.id);
      res.status(204).end();
      break;
    default:
      res.setHeader('Allow', ['GET', 'POST', 'PUT', 'DELETE']);
      res.status(405).end(`Method ${req.method} Not Allowed`);
  }
}

export default async function handler(req, res) {

switch (req.method) {

case 'GET':

const users = await fetchUsers();

res.status(200).json(users);

break;

case 'POST':

const user = await createUser(req.body);

res.status(201).json(user);

break;

case 'PUT':

const updatedUser = await updateUser(req.body);

res.status(200).json(updatedUser);

break;

case 'DELETE':

await deleteUser(req.body.id);

res.status(204).end();

break;

default:

res.setHeader('Allow', ['GET', 'POST', 'PUT', 'DELETE']);

res.status(405).end(`Method ${req.method} Not Allowed`);

}

Best Practices and Tips

Use Server Actions for Simplicity: Ideal for straightforward workflows tied to components.
Leverage API Routes for Scalability: Better for complex, reusable APIs.
Optimize Performance: Avoid heavy computations by delegating tasks to worker threads or external services.
Secure Your Application: Implement authentication and validation.
Choose the Right Tool: Match your use case to the strengths of each approach.

Conclusion

Next.js offers two powerful approaches for server-side functionality: Server Actions and API Routes. Server Actions simplify component-centric workflows, while API Routes shine in building scalable, reusable APIs. By understanding their differences and use cases, you can make informed decisions that ensure your application is efficient, maintainable, and scalable. Leveraging both effectively will enhance your development workflow, whether you’re building a small project or a large-scale application.

Drop a query if you have any questions regarding Next.js and we will get back to you quickly.

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