Manejo de errores en React Server Components y Next.js

Error handling in applications is crucial to improve user experience and ensure system stability. This article explores how to handle errors in Next.js projects using Server Actions, specific components and global error handling.

How to handle errors with Server Actions in Next.js?

• Integrating Server Actions correctly: Next.js allows you to handle error states using useActionState. This hook makes it easy to capture server errors and reflect states such as pending, error or success in the UI.
• Update existing actions: Functions that act as Server Actions should be structured to return an initial state and process the current state, such as errors or successful commits.
• Avoid try-catch: Next.js recommends avoiding the use of try-catch blocks to handle errors due to how it internally handles actions. It is suggested to evaluate results with conditional patterns and return custom error messages.

How to handle errors within pages in Next.js?

• Use custom error files: Next.js allows adding an error.tsx file inside any page directory. This file is automatically triggered by unhandled errors on that page.
• Design a UX-friendly error: It is essential that the design of the error component is consistent with the style of the page, including clear messages and buttons such as "Try again" to improve the user experience.
• Practical example: If a failure occurs when interacting with the form, the error page displays a friendly message and recovery options.

What is global error handling in Next.js?

• Global Error Handler: Inside the app folder, you can create a global-error.tsx file that captures all unhandled errors at the page level. This file acts as a last line of defense.
• Limitations and recommendations:
  • Does not operate in development mode; a production deployment is needed to test it.
  • Useful for logging errors or sending information to monitoring tools.
• User experience improvements: Customizing the global error message helps maintain UI consistency even in the face of unexpected errors.

How to improve the user experience when handling errors?

• Provide visual feedback: Show loading states and disable buttons while the operation is pending.
• Anticipate common errors: Capture and handle expected errors, such as connection or validation failures, directly in the UI.
• Customize messages: Make messages clear, context-sensitive and in the user's language.