Introduction to Next.js

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a popular React framework that enables functionality such as server-side rendering and generating static websites for React-based web applications. It is designed to enhance the performance and user experience of web applications.

Key features include:

Server-side Rendering (SSR)
Static Site Generation (SSG)
API Routes
Image Optimization
Automatic Code Splitting

Core Features

File-Based Routing: Create pages by adding files to the pages directory.
Dynamic Routing: Use dynamic segments in your file names to create dynamic routes.
API Routes: Build API endpoints directly in your Next.js application.
Static Generation: Pre-render pages at build time for performance optimization.

Getting Started

Here’s a quick guide to setting up a Next.js project:

npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app

After installing, navigate to your project directory:

cd my-next-app

Run the development server:

npm run dev

Your application will be running at http://localhost:3000.

Best Practices

Note: Always keep your Next.js version up to date for the latest features and security patches!

Utilize getStaticProps for static site generation whenever possible.
Optimize images using the Next.js Image component.
Use Link from next/link for client-side transitions.
Implement API routes for server-side logic.

FAQ

What is the difference between SSR and SSG?

SSR (Server-Side Rendering) generates the HTML on each request, while SSG (Static Site Generation) generates the HTML at build time, making it faster for subsequent requests.

Can I use Next.js with other frameworks?

Yes, Next.js can work alongside other frameworks, libraries, and tools, allowing for flexibility in your tech stack.

Workflow Overview


graph TD;
    A[Start] --> B[Create Next.js App];
    B --> C[Add Pages];
    C --> D[Run Development Server];
    D --> E[Build & Deploy];
    E --> F[End];