A Single Page Application (SPA) is a web application that loads a single HTML page and dynamically updates its content using JavaScript, without requiring a full page reload.
Key Characteristics
Dynamic Content Loading
SPAs fetch and render content asynchronously, avoiding full page reloads.
Routing
Client-side routing enables seamless navigation within the application without server round trips.
API-Driven
SPAs typically rely on APIs (often REST or GraphQL) to fetch and send data.
State Management
SPAs maintain application state on the client side, often using libraries such as Redux, Zustand, or MobX.
Advantages
- Faster navigation and improved user experience
- Reduced server load once initial page is loaded
- Smooth, app like interactions
Disadvantages
- Larger initial load time
- SEO challenges due to content being rendered client-side
- Increased complexity in state management and routing
Examples
- Gmail
- Google Docs
Purpose
SPAs aim to deliver faster, more fluid user experiences by avoiding full-page reloads and making the browser behave more like a native application.