Setting up a backend server is a critical first step in creating an isomorphic React application. This tutorial walks through creating an Express.js server, configuring it to serve static files, and preparing it for React integration.

What is Express.js?

Express.js is a lightweight and widely-used Node.js framework that simplifies building web servers. With its intuitive API, you can quickly create robust server-side applications. It also integrates seamlessly with Webpack for efficient development workflows.

Steps to Build the Server

1. Install Express:
   Use npm install express to add Express.js to your project.
2. Create the Server:
   • Create a server.js file.
   • Import Express and initialize it using const app = express();.
3. Serve Static Files:
   • Use app.use(express.static('public')) to serve files from a public directory.
4. Start Listening:
   • Start the server with app.listen(3000) to listen on port 3000.

Why Avoid Transpiling on the Server?

In this setup, we avoid using Babel or other transpilers to preprocess ES6+ code for the server. By writing native JavaScript supported by Node.js, we ensure better runtime optimization and fewer dependencies.

Next Steps

Once the server is set up, we’ll expand its functionality by adding templating systems and integrating React for server-side rendering. This foundational work ensures a scalable and efficient architecture.

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2024

As of 2024, the landscape of server-side rendering (SSR) in React applications has evolved significantly. While setting up an Express server for SSR with React was a common approach, modern frameworks like Next.js have streamlined this process, offering enhanced features and improved developer experience.

Changes in Setting Up Server-Side Rendering with React:

1. Framework Adoption: Next.js has become the preferred choice for server-side rendering in React applications. It provides built-in SSR capabilities, automatic code splitting, and optimized performance out of the box, reducing the need for manual configuration.

2. Simplified Configuration: Next.js abstracts much of the complexity involved in setting up SSR. Developers no longer need to manually configure servers with Express or handle routing and code splitting, as Next.js manages these aspects efficiently.

3. Enhanced Performance: With features like static site generation (SSG) and incremental static regeneration (ISR), Next.js delivers faster load times and improved SEO, making it a robust solution for modern web applications.

Next.js as the Go-To Server-Side React Framework:

Next.js has gained widespread adoption due to its comprehensive feature set and ease of use. It simplifies the development process by handling SSR, routing, and static generation seamlessly. The framework's ability to deliver high-performance applications with minimal configuration has made it the go-to choice for developers aiming to build scalable and efficient React applications.

In summary, while traditional methods involving Express and manual SSR setups are still viable, Next.js offers a more streamlined and efficient approach, aligning with modern development practices and performance expectations in 2024.