Getting Started with Next.js

Next.js is a powerful React framework that makes it easy to build production-ready web applications. In this post, we'll explore the basics and get you started on your journey.

Why Next.js?

Next.js offers several advantages over plain React:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Better SEO and initial load performance
• File-based Routing: Simple and intuitive routing system
• API Routes: Build backend functionality alongside your frontend
• Optimized Images: Automatic image optimization
• Built-in CSS Support: Support for CSS modules and styled-components

Creating Your First Next.js App

To create a new Next.js application, run:

npx create-next-app@latest my-app
cd my-app
npm run dev

This will create a new Next.js project with all the necessary dependencies and configuration.

Key Concepts

Pages

In Next.js, pages are React components exported from files in the pages directory. Each file automatically becomes a route.

Components

Reusable React components can be placed in a components directory and imported wherever needed.

Styling

Next.js supports multiple styling approaches:

• Global CSS
• CSS Modules
• Styled JSX
• Tailwind CSS

Next Steps

Now that you have a basic understanding of Next.js, you can start building more complex applications. Explore the official documentation to learn about advanced features like API routes, middleware, and deployment options.

Happy coding!