This post was originally published on my blog.
What is this guide?
Welcome to my comprehensive guide on Next.js! In this guide, I aim to introduce you to the powerful features of Next.js, a framework that enhances the capabilities of React to deliver richer web experiences. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your web development skills, this guide is designed to walk you through the essentials of using Next.js effectively. I'll break down complex concepts into manageable parts, provide practical examples, and share tips to help you master this tool. By the end of this series, not only will you understand why Next.js is so useful, you’ll also be equipped to start building your own projects with confidence.
What is Next.js?
Next.js is a popular and versatile full-stack JavaScript / TypeScript framework for creating static sites, APIs, and interactive web browser applications. Launched by Vercel in 2016, it builds on React, providing a more integrated solution to web development challenges.
If you’re new to these concepts, don’t worry — we’ll break them down further as we go.
Next.js has grown significantly since its initial version. Since then, it has benefited from thousands of man hours dedicated its development and has been downloaded by developers millions of times.
The reason it’s so popular is obvious to its many users: the framework does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Everything from backend routing to frontend components have pre-built patterns in Next.js to help you ship faster!
Why would you use it?
As I alluded to above, there are many features to love about Next.js. Here are a few of the highlights:
Seamless page routing: the way you organize your files automatically becomes your app’s URL structure. For example,
app/about.jstranslates toyourwebsite.com/about, greatly reducing the amount of boilerplate you need to write.API routing: the same file-based routing pattern applies to the backend too, allowing you to easily create API endpoints.
Enhanced perfomance: you get code splitting, image optimization, and static file caching for free through
next build.Built-in CSS support: no matter what CSS framework you prefer, be it CSS modules, utility frameworks like Tailwind, or CSS-in-JS, Next.js has an integration for it.
Flexible data fetching: with support for both server-side and client-side rendering, you can really tune your app’s performance.
Reasons not to use Next.js
While there are many reasons to use Next.js, there is no tool that’s appropriate for every situation. This framework’s opinionated nature is a boon to certain use cases but a dealbreaker for others. Let’s talk about when you might want to consider other technology choices:
Steep learning curve: Power comes with a price. Next.js introduces additional abstraction and configuration on top of React and modern full-stack patterns. If you’re a new developer, you may want to start by learning React first!
Less flexibility: Next.js may be overkill for very simple, static websites, or client-side apps that don’t require much optimization. In those cases, you might not require server-side rendering or built-in API routes. Simpler static site generators or a separate frontend and backend might be more efficient.
Coupled to React: Next.js is specifically built for React. If you or your team has preference for Vue, Angular, or another framework, you might want to go a different route from Next.
API flexibility: Although Next.js supports API routes, if your backend needs are complex, involving heavy microservices architectures or serving a wide range of clients beyond web applications, considering a more tailored backend solution might be beneficial.
Next steps
Excited about what Next.js offers? Let’s continue to part 2 of the guide, where we will dive into setting up your first Next.js project, discussing different configurations, and how to start building right away.
PS. If you're interested in reading the full guide as it comes out, be sure to subscribe for updates!
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