What is the difference between CSR, SSR, SSG and how does Next.js fit in?
Quick answer
CSR renders in the browser; SSR renders HTML per request on the server; SSG pre-renders at build time. Next.js supports all three plus Server Components.
In detail
Client-Side Rendering ships JS that builds the page in the browser (fast navigations, slower first paint, weaker SEO). Server-Side Rendering generates HTML on each request (good SEO/first paint, server cost). Static Site Generation builds HTML at deploy time (fastest, best for content). Next.js lets you choose per route and adds React Server Components and streaming for fine-grained control.
Why interviewers ask this: Rendering strategy is a common architecture question.
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