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Next.js Overview

Next.js is a popular React framework created by Vercel. It is designed to enable developers to build server-side rendering (SSR) and static web applications with ease. Next.js offers a range of features that streamline the development process, enhance performance, and provide a seamless developer experience.

Key Features​

  • Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Next.js allows pages to be rendered on the server before being sent to the client, improving initial load times and SEO performance.

  • Static Site Generation (SSG): Next.js can generate static pages at build time, which can then be served to users with minimal server overhead. This is ideal for content that doesn't change frequently.

  • Hybrid Mode: You can mix SSR and SSG within the same application, choosing the best rendering method for each page.

  • Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR): ISR allows you to update static content after it's been deployed, making it possible to have the best of both static and dynamic content.

  • API Routes: Next.js allows you to create API endpoints within your application. This simplifies backend logic by integrating it within the same project structure.

  • Automatic Code Splitting: Each page only loads the necessary JavaScript and CSS, resulting in faster page loads and better performance.

  • Image Optimization: Next.js provides an image component that optimizes images for faster loading, supporting responsive images and automatic resizing.

  • Built-in CSS and Sass Support: Next.js supports importing CSS and Sass files, and you can also use CSS-in-JS libraries like styled-components or emotion.

  • File-based Routing: Pages in Next.js are based on the filesystem. Each file in the pages directory becomes a route in the application.

  • TypeScript Support: Next.js has excellent TypeScript support, making it easier to catch errors early and improve code quality.

tip

Next.js supports Hot Module Replacement (HMR). This feature enables developers to see changes in real-time without needing to refresh the entire page, enhancing the development experience.

When to Use​

Next.js is a good choice if you need:

  • Improved SEO and performance through SSR or SSG.
  • A hybrid application with both static and dynamic content.
  • Integrated backend API routes within your application.
  • An easy setup with built-in optimizations for images and code splitting.

Creating a New Project​

To create a new Next.js project, run one of the following commands.

npx create-next-app@latest
yarn create next-app

On installation, you'll see the following prompts.

What is your project named? my-app
Would you like to use TypeScript? No / Yes
Would you like to use ESLint? No / Yes
Would you like to use Tailwind CSS? No / Yes
Would you like to use `src/` directory? No / Yes
Would you like to use App Router? (recommended) No / Yes
Would you like to customize the default import alias (@/*)? No / Yes
What import alias would you like configured? @/*
Manual Installation

To manually create a new Next.js app in existing project, install the required packages.

npm install next@latest react@latest react-dom@latest

And then, add necessacry scripts to package.json

{
  "scripts": {
    "dev": "next dev",
    "build": "next build",
    "start": "next start",
    "lint": "next lint"
  }
}

Navigate to your project directory and start the development server.

cd my-next-app
npm run dev
cd my-next-app
yarn dev