Module 1: Introduction to Next.js

 Lesson 1: What is Next.js and Why Use It?

Next.js is a React framework that allows developers to build high-performance web applications with server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes. It is widely used for its ease of development, built-in optimizations, and strong community support. Key benefits include:

• Performance: Automatic code splitting and prefetching for faster load times.
• SEO Optimization: Enhanced control over meta tags and server-side rendering for improved search engine rankings.
• Developer Experience: Hot module replacement, TypeScript support, and easy setup.

Lesson 2: Setting Up a Next.js Project

1. Prerequisites:

• Node.js (v14 or higher) installed on your machine.
• Basic knowledge of React.js.

2. Steps:

Install Next.js via npx :

• Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to view your application.
• Explore the folder structure:
  • pages/ : Contains all the routes for your app.
  • public/ : Static assets like images and fonts.
  • styles/ : Default styling for your app.

3. Customizing the Setup:

• Add dependencies like Tailwind CSS or Material UI for styling.
• Use for advanced configurations.

Lesson 3: Understanding File-Based Routing

Next.js uses a file-based routing system, which means:

• Automatic Route Mapping:
  • Files inside the pages/ directory are automatically turned into routes.
  • Example: pages/index.js becomes / and pages/about.js becomes /about.

• Dynamic Routes:
  • • Use square brackets for dynamic segments:
  pages/post/[id].js
  • Access the dynamic parameter via useRouter or getStaticProps.
• Nested Routes:
  • • Organize routes using folders:
  pages/blog/index.js -> /blog
  pages/blog/[slug].js -> /blog/:slug

• API Routes:
  • • Create serverless functions inside pages/api/ for backend logic.
    • Example:
  export default function handler(req, res)
  { res.status(200).json({ message: “Hello, Next.js!” });
  }

Additional Resources

Official Documentation