Next.js Server Actions

Next.js provides a server-side API that allows developers to perform server-side actions. This is particularly useful for actions such as fetching data from a database or an external API, as well as performing calculations or interactions that should not be exposed to the client-side.

Syntax

The syntax for Next.js server actions varies depending on the action being performed. Typically, server actions are defined as route handlers in an API route file, using the get or post HTTP method.

export default function handler(req, res) {
  // server action code
}

Example

export default function handler(req, res) {
  const data = fetchMyDataFromDatabase();
  res.status(200).json({ data });
}

In this example, we define an API route handler that fetches data from a database and returns it as a JSON response to the client.

Output

The output of a Next.js server action can vary depending on the action being performed. Typically, server actions will return a response to the client, either as JSON, HTML, or another format.

Explanation

Next.js server actions provide developers with a way to perform server-side actions without exposing sensitive information to the client. This is useful for actions such as fetching data from a database, interacting with external APIs, and performing calculations that should not be performed on the client-side.

Use

Developers can use Next.js server actions in a variety of ways:

• Fetching data from a database or an external API.
• Performing calculations or interactions that should not be exposed to the client-side.
• Authenticating users or performing other security-related actions.

Important Points

• Next.js server actions should be used to perform actions that should not be exposed to the client-side.

• Server actions should typically return a response to the client, either as JSON, HTML, or another format.

• Server actions can be defined as route handlers in an API route file, using the get or post HTTP method.

Summary

Next.js server actions provide developers with a way to perform server-side actions and interact with external APIs or databases without exposing sensitive information to the client. Developers can use Next.js server actions to perform calculations or interactions that should not be exposed to the client-side, authenticate users, and perform other security-related actions. Server actions can be defined as route handlers in an API route file, using the get or post HTTP method.