Syed Muhammad Ali Raza

Posted on Sep 7, 2023

Next js Overview Beginner Level

#nextjs #webdev #codenewbie #tutorial

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies. One such technology that has become very popular in recent years is Next.js.

Next.js is a powerful and flexible framework for building modern web applications with React. In this article, we'll take a look at the world of Next.js, explore its environment, its purpose, and how it compares to vanilla React. We'll also highlight some of the exciting features that make Next.js a game changer in web development.

Set environment

Before diving deeper into Next.js, let's set up our development environment. To get started with Next.js, you need Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) installed on your system. Once you meet these requirements, you can create a new Next.js project using the following command:

npx create-next-program-next-program
cd next program
npm run dev

This will start a new Next.js project and open the development server at http://localhost:3000. You can open this URL in your browser to see your new Next.js application.

Why use Next.js?

Now that we have set up our environment, let's explore why Next.js is a popular choice for building web applications.

1. Server Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Page Generation (SSG)

Next.js offers built-in support for Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG). SSR allows you to change pages on the server, improving performance and SEO, while SSG creates static HTML files at build time and allows for fast site loading.

2. Routing

Next.js simplifies client-side routing using a file-based routing system. You can create new routes by adding files to the Pages directory. For example, creating an "about.js" file in the "pages" directory will automatically create a directory in "/about".

3. Zero configuration

Next.js is designed to be zero-configuration by default, meaning you can install your application without requiring extensive configuration. This makes for a friendly start-up.

4. Enhanced Developer Experience

Next.js provides a great developer experience with features like Fast Refresh, which instantly updates your code changes in the browser without losing component state. It also supports TypeScript, making it easier to catch bugs early in development.

Next.js vs. React.js

You may be wondering how Next.js compares to React.js, because both are closely related. Basically, Next.js builds on top of React.js and provides additional features. Here's a quick comparison:

React.js

React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
Focus on the display layer of your application.
Routing, server side Rendering and getting data out of the box.
Next.js. requires additional configuration and libraries to achieve such features

Next.js

Next.js is a framework that extends the capabilities of React.
Built-in routing, server side rendering, and static page generation.
Increase developer productivity and provide a sensible structure to your project.
Zero configuration installation for quick start.

Next.js feature

Now, let's look at some Next.js features:

1. dynamic import

Next.js allows you to create lazy-loading components and routes, improving performance by loading only what you need.

import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';

const DynamicComponent = dynamic (() => import ('../components/DynamicComponent'));

2. Route API

You can create API routes inside your Next.js application to retrieve server-side logic and data. This route is automatically served in the "/api" directory.

// pages/api/endpoint.js

export default (req, res) => {
  res.status(200).json({message: 'Hello from API!'});
};

3. Internationalization (i18n)

Next.js provides excellent support for internationalization, allowing you to easily adapt your application for different languages and regions.

// pages/index.js
from 'next/router' { import useRouter;

HomePage() function.
  const router = useRouter();

  return (
    <div>
      <p> {router.locale === 'en' ? 'Hi': 'Ma'} </p>
    </div>
  );
}

export main HomePage;

Conclusion

In summary, Next.js is a powerful framework for building modern web applications that offers server-side rendering, static page generation, and features suitable for many developers. Whether you're new to web development or an experienced project developer, Next.js can streamline your workflow and easily deliver performance web applications. So give it a try and unlock the full potential of your web development project.

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