Next.js Tutorial - GeeksforGeeks

Next.js Tutorial

Last Updated : 16 Apr, 2024
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Next.js is an open-source web development framework based on React and has gained significant popularity due to its amazing features. It is developed by Vercel and Next.js stands out for its robust capabilities, including server-side rendering(SSR) and enhanced search engine optimization (SEO). Next.js provides built-in routing, making it simple to create dynamic routes and handle navigation within your application.

In this Next.js Tutorial, we’ll learn all the basic to advanced concepts such as Routing, Data Fetching, Environment Variables, Meta Tags, Static File Serving, Pre-Rendering, etc.

Next.js Tutorial

Prerequisites to learn Next.js

Before start learning NextJS you should have basic knowledge of how we shifted from JavaScript to React, after that, you can shift from React to NextJS. So you will need basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and React.

Why learn Next.js?

Next.js offers several advantages over traditional React development:

  1. Built-in Routing and SSR: Unlike React, which lacks native routing, Next.js provides seamless routing functionality out of the box. Additionally, it supports server-side rendering, improving performance and SEO.
  2. Faster Development: Next.js accelerates development by offering built-in features and conventions. Developers can focus on building features rather than configuring complex setups.
  3. SEO Optimization: Next.js enhances SEO by addressing slow rendering and loading times associated with client-side rendering. Its SSR capabilities ensure that search engines can efficiently crawl and index your content.

Additionally, NextJS mitigates slow rendering and loading times inherent in client-side rendering, crucial for optimizing SEO performance. Its integration of server-side rendering out of the box enhances overall development efficiency and user experience.

These benefits make Next.js a compelling choice over ReactJS for many developers.

Recent Articles on NextJS!

Next.js Tutorial

Let’s start learning Next.js step-by-step, from basic to advanced.

Next.js Environment Setup

Next.js Basic

Next.js Functions

Next.js Routing

Next.js Features

Next.js Interview Questions

Next.js Examples

Create your First Next.js app.

npx create-next-app my-blog-post

Features of Next.js

Next.js is a React framework that extends React’s capabilities to build server-rendered and statically generated web applications. Here are some of its key features:

  • Server-side Rendering (SSR): This improves SEO and initial load performance by rendering pages on the server. Content is already available for search engines to index, and users see a fully rendered page on the first load.
  • Static Site Generation (SSG): This pre-renders pages at build time, making them super fast to load. Ideal for content that changes infrequently, like blog posts or landing pages.
  • Automatic Code Splitting: This breaks down your application code into smaller bundles, improving load times by only loading the code needed for the current page.
  • Data Fetching: Next.js offers several ways to fetch data, including getStaticProps for fetching data at build time and getServerSideProps for fetching data on each request. This flexibility allows you to choose the most appropriate method for your specific needs.
  • Routing: Routing is simplified in Next.js. It automatically creates routes based on the file structure of your pages directory, making it easy to manage your application’s URL structure.
  • Image Optimization: Next.js automatically optimizes images, including resizing and compressing them, for faster loading times and improved SEO.
  • Built-in CSS and JavaScript Bundling: Next.js takes care of bundling and optimizing your CSS and JavaScript code, streamlining the development process.
  • API Routes: Next.js allows you to create serverless functions directly within your application using API routes. This lets you add backend functionality to your React application without needing a separate server.

Next.js vs React

Feature Next.js React
Type Framework Library
Learning curve Steeper (due to additional features) Easier
Flexibility Less flexible (opinionated) More flexible
Code complexity Less code needed (built-in features) More code needed (external libraries)
Rendering Server-side rendering (SSR) optional Client-side rendering (CSR) by default
SEO Better SEO due to pre-rendered content Can be achieved with additional libraries
Application E-commerce, marketing websites, blogs Complex web applications, social media, dashboard

Frequently Asked Questions about Next.js

What is Next.js used for?

Next.js is a React framework for building full-stack web applications. You use React Components to build user interfaces, and Next.js for additional features and optimizations. Under the hood, Next.js also abstracts and automatically configures tooling needed for React, like bundling, compiling, and more.

Is Next.js better than React?

Next.js is definitely newer and faster in many cases when compared with React. JAMstack a modern web development architecture that uses JavaScript, APIs, and pre-rendered Markup, Next.js is the best choice for them.

Is Next.js a coding language?

Next.js is an open-source full-fledged framework created by Vercel, designed to simplify building interactive web applications using React. It offers features for both server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), enabling you to create performant and SEO-friendly web experiences.

Is Next.js also a backend?

Next.js backend capabilities are often overshadowed by its frontend features, but it’s equally competent in handling server-side logic.



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