Next.js > React.js But Why??

Introduction

Next.js is a powerful React framework that simplifies and enhances the development of React applications. It Introduces server-side rendering, automatic code splitting, and an intuitive file-based routing system. Ideal for React developers, Next.js offers a seamless transition from client-side to server-side rendering, improving performance and SEO. With built-in support for TypeScript and CSS modules like Tailwind CSS, it eases development and provides a compatible solution for building scalable, production-ready web applications.

Problems With React and Why SSR?

1. Waterfalling In React:

   React Applications often suffer from waterfalling problem, where the initial page load can be slow due to the need to fetch data and render components sequentially. This can lead to not so good user experience, especially for slower networks or less powerful/older devices.

• Solution:

  Next.js introduces Server Side Rendering (SSR), which allows a server to pre-render pages before sending them to a client browser. it reduces the time that takes for the initial page load, resulting in a faster and more responsive UI.

1. Not SEO Optimised:

   Older React applications may not be naturally optimised for search engines, as search engine crawlers often struggle to interpret client-side rendered content. this can affect a website's search engine ranking and visibility.

• Solution:

  Next.js provides SSR out of the box, ensuring that search engines receive fully rendered HTML pages. This not only impresses SEO performance but also enhances the visibility of the content, making Next.js an ideal choice for applications where search engine visibility is crucial.

1. Doesn't Work in Non-JS Envs:

   React applications are designed to run in JS-enabled environments, which leads to challenges when it comes to rendering content in non-JS environments like emails, allowing developers to create dynamic and interactive content that may not work seamlessly across various platforms.

• Solution:

  Next.js with its SSR capabilities enables content rendering on the server side. this makes it compatible with non-JS environments like emails, allowing developers to create dynamic and interactive content that works seamlessly across various platforms.

What is SSR?

• The Process Of doing the initial render on the server all the following rendering because of state updates happens on the client.

• Can use other server components, divs and spans.

• Can import libraries only on the server to keep a small bundle size.

• Have complete access to the backend, and can read from a file.

• for more info visit next.js documentation: nextjs.org/learn-pages-router/basics/data-f..

Facts About Next.js/SSR:

1. Limited Access to Browser Constructs:

   the one important characteristic of Next.js with SSR is that during the initial server-side rendering, there is no access to browser-specific constructs like localStorage and window object. this is due to the server-side rendering process occurring outside the context of the client's browser.

2. Constraints on Running Hooks and Stage Understanding:

   during server-side rendering, Next.js can't run hooks and it also does not understand the state.

3. Single Server-Side Rendering:

   Next.js performs initial rendering on the server side, generating HTML content that is sent to the client. However, once the page is loaded in a browser, further rendering (based on client interaction leading to state changes) happens on the client side (browser). This hybrid approach combines the benefits of SSR with client-side interactivity.

4. HTTP Backend Routes Without Express:

   An advantage of Next.js is its ability to handle HTTP backend routes without the need for additional server frameworks like Express. Next.js allows developers to define API routes alongside their React components, simplifying the setup for handling server-side logic and API requests.

The above image explains clear difference between what we can do in server-side components and client-side components.

Why to use Next.js?

1. Internationalization:

   Next.js offers compelling features like Internationalization (i18n) support, enabling seamless development of multilingual applications.

2. Next.js Analytics:

   it provides built-in analytics capabilities, making it a comprehensive choice for developers seeking efficient solutions for both globalized content and analytical insights.

3. Dynamic Routing:

   The framework supports dynamic routing, allowing developers to create dynamic and customizable routes based on data.

4. Automatic Code Splitting:

   Next.js automatically splits code into smaller chunks, ensuring that only the necessary code is loaded for each page. This optimizes performance by reducing initial load times.

Some Famous Companies that use Next.js:

1. Binance

2. Google

3. McDonald's

4. TikTok

5. Twitch

6. PayPal

7. Uber

8. Netflix

9. Deliveroo

10. Hashnode

Conclusion:

Next.js serves as the frontend framework for thousands of additional companies. This framework is specifically crafted to streamline the complexities associated with building production applications, offering a range of features, robust tooling, and simplified configuration.

Feel free to share in the comments section the exciting projects you plan to embark on using these enhanced capabilities! Happy Coding... 🚀