Choosing a framework for starting a new project can be quite challenging, considering the many frameworks and tools available today. Developers who want to build high-performance and scalable web applications often choose Next.js over others. No wonder, since Next.js is a React framework created by Vercel, offers a comprehensive solution for building server-side rendered (SSR) and static web applications. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG): Next.js supports both SSR and SSG, allowing developers to choose the best rendering method for their needs. SSR improves SEO and page load speed by rendering pages on the server, while SSG can pre-render pages at build time for faster performance.
- Built-in Routing: Next.js simplifies routing with its file-based routing system. By organizing your files and folders in the pages directory, you can automatically create corresponding routes, eliminating the need for an external router library.
- Optimized Performance: Next.js comes with a host of performance optimizations out of the box, including code splitting, automatic static optimization, and image optimization, ensuring your application runs efficiently.
Starting from scratch can be time-consuming, especially when configuring essential features like authorization and CRUD operations. A proper approach is to use a ready-made boilerplate that includes these settings, allowing you to focus on building features rather than setting up the basics. By applying a ready-to-use Next.js boilerplate, you would get:
- Time and Effort Savings: a boilerplate provides a foundation with pre-configured settings, saving you from the hassle of initial setup and configuration.
- Best Practices: experienced developers follow industry best practices when building boilerplates, ensuring your project starts on the right foot.
- Included Features: built-in features such as authentication, routing, and state management, that a lot of boilerplates include, allowing you to hit the ground running.
Getting Started with a Next.js boilerplate
Let's go step-by-step on how to start your project using a boilerplate.
Choose a Boilerplate: Select the boilerplate that best fits your requirements. In this review, we’ll use the extensive-react-boilerplate as an example, because we use it in our company. In our boilerplate overview article, we've provided the reasons behind its creation and implementation.
Clone the Repository: Clone the boilerplate repository to your local machine using Git.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/brocoders/extensive-react-boilerplate.git my-app
Install Dependencies: Navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies.
cd my-app
npm install
Configure Environment Variables: Set up your environment variables for authentication and other configurations. To do this, copy the example environment file.
cp example.env.local .env.local
Run the Development Server: Start the development server to see your project in action.
npm run dev
Customize Your Project: With the boilerplate set up, you can now start building your features. The boilerplate provides a structure and essential configurations, allowing you to focus on the core functionality of your application.
Conclusion
Starting a project with Next.js offers numerous advantages, from server-side rendering to built-in routing and performance optimizations. Using a ready-made boilerplate can further accelerate your development process by providing pre-configured settings and best practices. By leveraging these tools, you can focus on what matters most: building a high-quality, scalable web application. In the next article, we'll delve into mastering CRUD operations in Next.js, providing you with the tools and knowledge to manage data effectively in your applications.
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