What is Next.js?

Next.js is a powerful React framework that enables you to build full-stack web applications. Created by Vercel, it extends React by providing additional structure, features, and optimizations. Think of it as React with superpowers!

Key Point for Students:

If you know React, you're already halfway there! Next.js builds on top of React, so your existing React knowledge is valuable.

Why Choose Next.js?

Performance

• Automatic code splitting
• Image optimization
• Built-in performance monitoring
• Server-side rendering (SSR)

Developer Experience

• Zero configuration setup
• Hot reloading
• Built-in TypeScript support
• Excellent error handling

For students, Next.js is perfect because it teaches you modern web development practices while providing a smooth learning curve. Many companies use Next.js in production, making it a valuable skill for your career.

Getting Started

Let's create your first Next.js application. Make sure you have Node.js installed on your computer.

# Create a new Next.js app
npx create-next-app@latest my-first-nextjs-app

# Navigate to your project
cd my-first-nextjs-app

# Start the development server
npm run dev

That's it! Your Next.js application is now running at http://localhost:3000. The setup includes everything you need to start building.

Key Features Every Student Should Know

1. File-based Routing

Next.js uses your file structure to create routes automatically. No need to configure routing manually!

pages/
  index.js          → /
  about.js          → /about
  blog/
    index.js        → /blog
    [slug].js       → /blog/:slug

2. API Routes

Build your backend API right inside your Next.js app. Perfect for full-stack applications!

// pages/api/hello.js
export default function handler(req, res) {
  res.status(200).json({ message: 'Hello from Next.js API!' })
}

3. Built-in CSS Support

Next.js supports CSS Modules, Sass, and CSS-in-JS out of the box. Style your components however you prefer!

Understanding the Routing System

Next.js 13+ introduced the App Router, which is more powerful and intuitive. Here's what you need to know:

Pages Router (Legacy)

pages/
  _app.js
  index.js
  about.js
  [id].js

App Router (New)

app/
  layout.js
  page.js
  about/
    page.js
  [id]/
    page.js

Student Tip:

Start with the App Router if you're learning Next.js now. It's the future of Next.js and provides better performance and developer experience.

Data Fetching Made Simple

Next.js provides several ways to fetch data. Here are the most important ones for students:

Client-Side Fetching

Fetch data in the browser (like regular React)

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'

function Profile() {
  const [user, setUser] = useState(null)
  
  useEffect(() => {
    fetch('/api/user')
      .then(res => res.json())
      .then(data => setUser(data))
  }, [])
  
  return <div>{user?.name}</div>
}

Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

Fetch data on the server before sending to browser

// App Router
async function Profile() {
  const user = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user')
  const userData = await user.json()
  
  return <div>{userData.name}</div>
}

Deploying Your Next.js App

The easiest way to deploy Next.js is using Vercel (made by the same team). It's free for students and personal projects!

Push code to GitHub

Connect to Vercel

Your app is live!

# Alternative: Deploy with one command
npm install -g vercel
vercel

# Follow the prompts and your app will be deployed!

Best Practices for Students

✅ Do These Things

• Use TypeScript for better code quality
• Optimize images with next/image component
• Use Server Components when possible (App Router)
• Follow the file naming conventions
• Use environment variables for sensitive data

❌ Avoid These Mistakes

• Don't use regular <img> tags (use next/image instead)
• Don't fetch data in useEffect when SSR is better
• Don't ignore the build warnings
• Don't mix Pages and App Router in the same project
• Don't forget to handle loading and error states

Conclusion

Next.js is an excellent choice for students learning modern web development. It teaches you industry best practices while providing a great developer experience. Start with simple projects and gradually explore advanced features like middleware, internationalization, and performance optimization.

Ready to Start Your Next.js Journey?

I help students and developers master Next.js through personalized mentoring and project guidance. Whether you need help with your first Next.js project or want to build something complex, I'm here to help!