With NextJS 13, along came server components and server actions. Are they an effective replacement for route handlers in Next altogether?

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NextJS 13 introduces server components and server actions, enabling execution directly on the node server without API endpoints. Server components streamline data fetching for component renders, while server actions cater to data mutations. However, server actions are limited to POST requests, can't manually set response headers, and are inaccessible externally. Despite these advancements, route handlers remain essential, especially for client-side data fetching.

Will Server Actions and Components Replace Route Handlers in NextJS?

Gathering Data to be Used on Component Load

Fine-grained Control Iver HTTP Request and Response

Very interesting, and I love server actions so much for how many easy they made data mutations. But route handlers must still be used to get data in client components, because sever actions are always POST by default.

This concept is quite interesting, something that never ceases to surprise is the speed with which this is evolving in this specific field.!!!

Nothing will change REST API way of doing things. Server Actions are not safe yet and they are very limited.