Streamlining Data Fetching in Next.js Apps with React Query's Latest Update

React Query, a popular data-fetching library, has just received an exciting update that enhances its compatibility with the new Next.js app router. This update introduces a game-changing feature that allows developers to effortlessly stream data fetched on the server, pass it to the client, and display it in real-time as it arrives. This has generated a lot of buzz among developers, and rightfully so! In this blog post, we'll explore this new feature and see how it revolutionizes the way we handle data fetching in Next.js applications.

Streaming Data with Suspense: Before we delve into React Query's implementation, let's understand the traditional approach for handling loading states while rendering child components. In the past, we used a pattern involving Suspense, which would display a loading skeleton or spinner while an asynchronous function was being awaited inside the Suspense component. Once the data was fetched, the fallback would be replaced with the actual content. This method served its purpose, but React Query's new update takes data fetching to a whole new level.

React Query's Implementation: React Query's latest update introduces the useQuery hook, which plays a pivotal role in streaming data in real-time. To see this in action, we need to set up a client component within a regular page and import two essential items: Suspense and useQuery. Let's take a look at the code snippet:

With the useQuery hook, we can easily fetch data based on the specified waitTime parameter. The Suspense component, combined with the fallback prop, ensures that the data is smoothly streamed into the DOM while displaying loading states as needed. This significantly enhances the user experience, especially when dealing with dynamic and real-time data updates.

The Power of Streaming Data: The ability to stream data was previously unheard of, but thanks to React Query's latest experimental Alpha version, it is now possible. The library introduces the react-query-streamed-hydration component, which handles query client hydration and dehydration between the server and client. This enables a seamless transfer of serialized data, avoiding redundant data fetching and reducing loading times.

Conclusion: React Query's recent update marks a significant step forward in data fetching for Next.js apps. The ability to stream data in real-time and the efficient handling of query client hydration and dehydration are game-changers for developers. By using React Query's useQuery hook and Suspense component, we can deliver a smoother, more responsive user experience with minimal loading delays.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and found the new features as exciting as we did. If you have any questions or thoughts about this update, we'd love to hear from you. Special thanks to Chiza for sharing this change with the community on Discord. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and tutorials. Happy coding!