Next.js: Level Up Your Web Dev Workflow ( + + ?)

Introduction

Struggling with slow website builds, complex deployments, and bloated code? Feeling weighed down by legacy frameworks? Brace yourself, because Next.js is here to revolutionize your web development experience! ?

In this article, we'll dive deep into:

• Impactful Differences: What sets Next.js apart from your current setup? Get ready for faster performance, effortless SEO, and improved user experience.
• ?? Time-Saving Magic: Discover how Next.js streamlines workflows, saves precious development hours, and simplifies complex tasks. ??
• Top Benefits & Advantages: We'll unveil the secret sauce of Next.js, highlighting its key features and unique advantages that will leave you speechless.
• Server-Side Rendering (SSR) with Express? Can you have your cake and eat it too? We'll explore the ins and outs of seamlessly integrating Next.js with a Node.js Express server.

Ready to unlock the power of Next.js? Stay tuned for valuable insights, actionable tips, and real-world examples!

Let's explore some of its most compelling advantages:

1. Building on Steroids:

• Dynamic & Import Magic: Effortlessly create both static and dynamic content, seamlessly integrating dynamic imports for ultimate flexibility.
• Server-Side Rendering: Leverage getServerSideProps to deliver blazing-fast, fully rendered React apps that love search engines and users alike.

2. Speed that Impresses:

• Automatic Code Splitting & Prefetching: Say goodbye to bloated bundles! Next.js intelligently chunks your code and prefetches key resources, ensuring lightning-fast page loads. ??
• Automatic Compilation & Bundling: No more manual configuration headaches! Next.js handles it all, freeing you to focus on what matters most - building amazing things. ??

3. Static Savior:

• SSG with getStaticProps: Generate pre-rendered static pages for ultimate performance and scalability, perfect for content that doesn't change frequently.

4. API & Routing Powerhouse:

• API Middleware: Take control of your API routes with custom middleware functions, unlocking a world of possibilities for data manipulation and authorization. ?
• Routing Made Easy: Next.js's intuitive routing system makes navigation a breeze, allowing you to create complex UIs with elegant simplicity. ?

5. Accessibility & SEO Champion:

• Accessibility-First: Build inclusive web experiences that everyone can enjoy, thanks to Next.js's commitment to accessibility standards.
• SEO Hero: Improve your website's search engine ranking with pre-generated HTML content that search engines adore.

More - https://nextjs.org/

Nextjs Architecture -?https://nextjs.org/docs/architecture

Proposed Action for Incremental Next.js Adoption in Existing Project:

Choosing Next.js Routing: Pages Router vs. App Router

• Pages Router has a file-system-based router built on concepts of pages
• In the latest version 13, Next.js introduced a new App Router?built on?React Server Components,

Need: Simple, static content (blog)? Choose: Pages Router (easier setup, SEO-friendly).

Need: Dynamic features, complex routing? Choose: App Router (flexible, performance benefits).

Combined Use: Consider separate areas (static Pages, dynamic App sections), but generally not recommended due to complexity.

Recommendation: New projects with dynamic needs? Start with App Router. Simple, SEO-focused projects? Pages might suffice.

More info:

• Next.js Routing Documentation: [https://nextjs.org/docs/pages/api-reference/functions/use-router]
• App Router Migration: [https://nextjs.org/docs/pages/building-your-application/upgrading/app-router-migration]
• Choosing Directories: [https://nextjs.org/docs/getting-started/installation]

Redux managing and centralizing the application state

• Pages Router + Redux integration: Use libraries like next-redux-wrapper or redux-next-actions.
• Complex projects/fine-grained control: Consider migrating to App Router and explore Redux-based routing solutions.
• Avoid using Redux directly for routing with Pages Router.

Replace React Helmet instances with next/head?component

• In Next.js, you should replace react-helmet instances with the built-in next/head component for managing elements in the <head> tag of your pages.Why choose next/head?:

1. Avoid duplication: Prevents conflicts or accidental repetition of tags, keeping your <head> clean and efficient.
2. Simplify your codebase: Eliminates the need for an external dependency (react-helmet).
3. Seamless integration: Works perfectly within the Next.js environment, leveraging its features and optimizations.

Look and Feel

• 1. Layouts:

• Create reusable layouts: Develop central layout components that define the overall structure of your pages.

- **Global Layout:** Define a single layout for the entire application.
- **Component-based Layouts:** Create reusable layout components for different sections or functionalities.
- **Dynamic Layouts:** Use data to determine the layout based on specific page content or user preferences.        

• 2. Image Optimization and replacing <img> elements with next/image components

• Automatic optimization: Next.js automatically optimizes images for different devices and screen sizes, improving website performance.
• Lazy loading: Images are only loaded when they come into view, further enhancing page load speed.
• Improved user experience: Faster loading times lead to a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.

- Use the `next/image` component instead of standard `<img>` tags.
- Specify dimensions (`width` and `height`) for optimal rendering.
- Explore additional options like `layout`, `priority`, and `placeholder` for fine-grained control.        

Testing Support

• Support for Jest and Mocha
• Next.js Testing Documentation: https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/testing

Bonus - Page Router vs App Router

Page Route

• Pages directory holds all routes.
• File structure maps to routes: index.js for root, [name].js for dynamic paths.
• useRouter hook in components accesses dynamic route information.
• 404.js handles unmatched routes.

Route Mapping:

• index.js: Located within the pages directory, it renders the content for the root path (/).Example: pages/index.js serves the content for https://your-app.com/.
• [folder_name]/index.js: Defines a dynamic route that captures a single folder name as a parameter.Example: pages/blog/[slug].js matches paths like https://your-app.com/blog/my-article.
• [filename].js: Represents a dynamic single-file route, capturing the filename as a parameter.Example: pages/[product].js handles routes like https://your-app.com/product/shoes.
• [...pathname].js: Captures any number of nested dynamic path segments as an array.Example: pages/profile/[...username].js matches paths like https://your-app.com/profile/john/posts.

Next.js Data Fetching:

• Static Generation (SSG): Pre-renders at build time, good for static content.getStaticProps: Fetches data during build, returns static props passed to your component.getStaticPaths (for dynamic routes): Defines available paths beforehand, enabling incremental builds for new paths.
• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Renders on server for each request, best for dynamic content.getServerSideProps: Fetches data on each request, returns props to your component.
• Choose one per route: getStaticProps for SSG, getServerSideProps for SSR.

Client-side Data Fetching:

• useEffect + fetch (or other API calls): Basic approach, but manage caching manually.
• useSWR (recommended): Simplifies data fetching with built-in caching and revalidation. (Install first: npm install swr)

Authentication:

• next-auth simplifies user login/logout, protects routes, and offers built-in OAuth support.
• next-auth library does support JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for authentication and session management in Next.js applications.

App Router (v13)

Key Features (Crisp)

Structure:

• Predefined files: page.js, [dynamic_path], layout.js, loading.js, error.js, not-found.js.
• use client/server: Controls execution context for components (client-side or server-side).

Features:

• Metadata: Define route-specific data for SEO or layout.
• generateMetadata: Generate metadata automatically based on component structure.
• Form submission: Handle form submissions with server actions.
• CSS modules: Leverage CSS modules for scoped styles.
• Server-side code: Execute limited server-side code for specific needs.
• revalidatePath: Invalidate cached paths for dynamic updates.

Hooks:

• useFormState, useFormStatus: Manage form state and status.

Overall, the App Router offers a structured and versatile approach for building complex and dynamic applications in Next.js.

Recommendation:

• Simple, static content: Page Router might suffice.
• Complex, dynamic applications: App Router provides more control and flexibility.
• Routing Type: Page Route - Server-first (can be client-side with getStaticProps) App Route - Client-first (can be server-side with getServerSideProps)
• Server Component Support: Page Route - No, App Route - Yes (default is server-side rendered)