Day 1: Introduction to Next.js

Welcome to the first day of our in-depth exploration of Next.js, a powerful React framework that has reshaped the landscape of web development. In this tutorial, we will unravel the intricacies of Next.js, understand its profound benefits, and guide you through setting up your inaugural Next.js project. Let’s not just scratch the surface but delve into the code to grasp the key features that make Next.js a developer’s delight.

Note: We are using Next.js 14 version in this series

Understanding Next.js

Before we delve into the code, let’s grasp the essence of Next.js. Next.js is a React framework designed to simplify the process of building robust and performant web applications. It introduces conventions and tools to streamline common tasks, making it an excellent choice for modern, server-rendered React applications.

Benefits of Next.js

1. Server-Side Rendering (SSR):

Next.js excels in server-side rendering, rendering pages on the server rather than the client. This improves initial loading speed and enhances SEO.

2. Zero Configuration:

One of Next.js’ standout features is its minimal setup requirements, allowing for quick and efficient development.

3. Automatic Code Splitting:

Next.js intelligently splits JavaScript bundles for faster page loads and a smoother user experience.

4. Hot Module Replacement (HMR):

HMR allows real-time changes without a full page reload, speeding up the development process.

5. Full TypeScript Support:

Next.js has robust TypeScript integration, providing static typing for your entire project, enhancing code quality and collaboration.

Setting Up Your First Next.js Project

Let’s jump into the code and set up your first Next.js project.

Step 1: Install Node.js and npm

Before diving into Next.js, ensure you have Node.js and npm installed on your machine. You can download them from the official Node.js website.

Step 2: Create a New Next.js Project

Open your terminal and run the following command to create a new Next.js project:

npx create-next-app@latest

Step 3: Navigate to Your Project

Change into the project directory:

cd todo-app

Step 4: Run Your Development Server

Start the development server with the following command:

npm run dev

Visit http://localhost:3000 in your web browser to see your Next.js application.

The folder structure will look like this

File structure

The key structure of next.js app is

Routing Files

These are just top-level project structures. We will have nested levels and dynamic routing levels. We can discuss them further in subsequent posts.

The folder structure of a default Next.js 14 project is as follows:

- .next/
- components/
- node_modules/
- pages/
  - api/
  - index.js
- public/
  - favicon.ico
  - vercel.svg
- styles/
- README.md
- package-lock.json
- package.json

Here’s a brief explanation of the main folders and files:

• .next/: This folder contains the compiled output of your Next.js project.
• components/: This folder is where you can store reusable React components.
• node_modules/: This folder contains the dependencies installed for your project.
• pages/: This folder is where you define your application’s routes/pages.
  • api/: This subfolder is used for setting up API routes.
  • index.js: This is the main entry point of your Next.js application.
• public/: This folder is used to store static files like images, fonts, and favicon.
• styles/: This folder is where you can store your CSS or SCSS files.
• README.md: This file typically contains information about your project.
• package-lock.json and package.json: These two files contain the dependencies and scripts needed for your project.

Note that this is the basic structure of a Next.js project and you can add more folders and files based on your specific needs.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve set up your first Next.js project and explored its file structure. As we continue this series, we’ll delve deeper into advanced topics. Stay tuned for Day 2, where we will explore the intricacies of basic routing in Next.js.

Happy coding! 🚀💻

#NextJS #WebDevelopment #ReactFramework