What is Next.js?
Next.js is a React framework developed by Vercel. It offers a powerful set of features for building production-ready applications, including:
File-based routing
Server-side rendering (SSR)
Static site generation (SSG)
API routes
Image optimization
Built-in support for TypeScript and CSS modules
Key Features of Next.js
1. Hybrid Rendering
Next.js supports static generation, server-side rendering, and client-side rendering. You can choose the best rendering strategy per page or component—flexibility that few other frameworks offer.
2. File-Based Routing
Create a new page by simply adding a file to the pages/ directory. Nested routes? Just add folders. Dynamic routes? Use [param].js. It's intuitive and efficient.
3. API Routes
You don’t need a separate backend for simple APIs. Just add files to pages/api/ and define your backend functions. Great for serverless deployments and prototyping.
4. Image Optimization
With the <Image /> component, Next.js automatically optimizes images for performance. It handles lazy loading, resizing, and modern formats like WebP.
5. Built-in SEO
Out of the box, Next.js supports custom <Head> tags, dynamic metadata, and faster page loads—all crucial for good search engine rankings.
6. Middleware & Edge Functions
With Middleware, you can run code before a request is completed—perfect for redirects, authentication checks, and A/B testing.
