Welcome to Next.js: The React Framework for Production

Next.js is a powerful React framework that enables you to build full-stack web applications. It provides a robust foundation for creating performant, SEO-friendly, and scalable applications with a great developer experience.

Why Choose Next.js?

Next.js offers a compelling set of features that address common challenges in modern web development. It streamlines the process of building complex applications by providing built-in solutions for routing, data fetching, code splitting, and more.

Next.js simplifies React development with built-in features.

Next.js handles many complex configurations out-of-the-box, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than setting up infrastructure. This includes features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes.

Key advantages of Next.js include its opinionated structure, which promotes best practices, and its flexibility. It supports various rendering strategies, enabling developers to choose the best approach for different parts of their application. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of projects, from small blogs to large enterprise applications.

Core Concepts in Next.js

Understanding the core concepts of Next.js is crucial for effective development. These concepts form the backbone of how Next.js applications are structured and how they perform.

File-based Routing

Next.js uses a file-system-based router. This means that any file you create in the

code

pages

directory (or

code

app

directory in newer versions) automatically becomes a route. For example,

code

pages/about.js

will be accessible at

code

/about

How does Next.js handle routing?

Next.js uses a file-system-based router, where files in the pages or app directory automatically map to URL routes.

Rendering Strategies

Next.js supports multiple rendering strategies to optimize performance and SEO:

Strategy	Description	Use Case
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)	Pages are rendered on the server for each request.	Dynamic content, user-specific data.
Static Site Generation (SSG)	Pages are pre-rendered at build time.	Content that doesn't change often, blogs, marketing sites.
Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)	Pages are pre-rendered at build time and updated periodically.	Content that updates frequently but doesn't need real-time data.
Client-Side Rendering (CSR)	Pages are rendered in the browser using JavaScript.	Highly interactive applications, dashboards.

Data Fetching

Next.js provides several methods for fetching data, integrated with its rendering strategies. These include

code

getStaticProps

code

getStaticPaths

, and

code

getServerSideProps

for the

code

pages

directory, and new patterns within the

code

app

directory.

The app directory in Next.js 13+ introduces a new paradigm for building applications. It leverages React Server Components (RSC) by default, allowing for more efficient rendering and data fetching. Routes are defined by folders, and page.js files within these folders define the UI for a given route. Layouts can be shared across routes using layout.js files. This new structure aims to simplify full-stack development within a single framework.

📚

Text-based content

Library pages focus on text content

API Routes

Next.js allows you to create backend API endpoints within your project. By creating files in the

code

pages/api

directory, you can build serverless functions that handle requests, making it a true full-stack framework.

The app directory is the future of Next.js, offering a more streamlined and powerful way to build applications. Familiarize yourself with its concepts as you progress.

Getting Started with Next.js

To begin your Next.js journey, you'll need Node.js installed. You can then create a new Next.js project using

code

create-next-app

Loading diagram...

Once the development server is running, you can start building your application by creating pages and components.

Learning Resources

Next.js Official Documentation(documentation)

The definitive source for all things Next.js, covering installation, core concepts, and advanced features.

Learn Next.js - Official Tutorial(tutorial)

An interactive tutorial that guides you through building a Next.js application from scratch, covering essential concepts.

Vercel Blog: Introducing Next.js 13(blog)

An announcement and overview of the major features introduced in Next.js 13, including the App Router.

React Server Components Explained(documentation)

Understand the fundamental concept of React Server Components, which are central to Next.js's App Router.

MDN Web Docs: JavaScript(documentation)

A foundational resource for understanding JavaScript, the language underpinning React and Next.js development.

MDN Web Docs: HTML(documentation)

Essential knowledge of HTML is crucial for structuring web content rendered by Next.js applications.

MDN Web Docs: CSS(documentation)

Learn CSS to style your Next.js applications effectively and create visually appealing user interfaces.

The Net Ninja: Next.js Tutorial for Beginners(video)

A comprehensive video series covering Next.js fundamentals for beginners, from setup to deployment.

freeCodeCamp: Next.js Crash Course(video)

A concise crash course on Next.js, providing a quick overview of its core features and benefits.

Smashing Magazine: Getting Started with Next.js(blog)

An article offering practical advice and insights for developers new to Next.js.

Introduction to Next.js and its core concepts

Welcome to Next.js: The React Framework for Production

Why Choose Next.js?

Next.js simplifies React development with built-in features.

Core Concepts in Next.js

File-based Routing

Rendering Strategies

Data Fetching

API Routes

Getting Started with Next.js

Learning Resources