What is a Server-Side Browser Capable of Executing JavaScript?

What is a server-side browser that can execute JavaScript?

A server-side browser is a type of platform or tool that runs on the server to browse web pages and execute JavaScript, similar to a traditional web browser but operated in a server environment. This technology enables developers to perform tasks such as web scraping, automated testing, and rendering dynamic web pages that rely heavily on JavaScript for content generation.

const puppeteer = require('puppeteer');

(async () => {
  const browser = await puppeteer.launch();
  const page = await browser.newPage();
  await page.goto('https://example.com');
  const content = await page.content();
  console.log(content);
  await browser.close();
})();

Causes

• Need for web scraping complex sites that use client-side JavaScript.
• Automated testing of web applications to simulate user interactions.
• Rendering pages for pre-fetching or server-side rendering to improve SEO.

Solutions

• Utilize headless browsers like Puppeteer or Selenium with a server setup.
• Use server-side frameworks designed for web scraping and testing.

Mistake: Forgetting to handle asynchronous code when using Puppeteer.

Solution: Use async/await syntax to ensure code execution flows correctly.

Mistake: Not using a headless mode for performance optimization.

Solution: Always start browsers in headless mode when running on the server unless visual rendering is necessary.