What is Single-Page Application (SPA)?
A web app that loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates content without full page reloads.
Why It Matters
SPAs feel faster and smoother because only the changing content updates, not the entire page.
Real-World Example
Gmail is a single-page application where clicking between inbox and sent mail does not reload the whole page.
“Understanding terms like Single-Page Application (SPA) matters because it helps you have better conversations with developers and make smarter decisions about your software. You do not need to be technical. You just need to know enough to ask the right questions.”
Related Terms
Client-Side
Code or processing that happens in the user's browser
SSR (Server-Side Rendering)
Generating web pages on the server for each request, then sending complete HTML to the browser
React
A popular tool for building user interfaces, created by Facebook, that makes complex UIs easier to manage
Hydration
The process where JavaScript takes over a server-rendered page to make it interactive
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Related Terms
React
A popular tool for building user interfaces, created by Facebook, that makes complex UIs easier to manage
SSR (Server-Side Rendering)
Generating web pages on the server for each request, then sending complete HTML to the browser
Hydration
The process where JavaScript takes over a server-rendered page to make it interactive
Client-Side
Code or processing that happens in the user's browser
Frontend
The part of a website or app that users see and interact with directly
Next.js
A framework built on React that adds features like page routing, server-side rendering, and API handling