Table of contents
Introduction
Have you ever wondered which frontend framework can improve your web development projects: ReactJS or Next.js? With the web constantly growing, you need to know which of these frameworks suits your projects. In this article, I will compare the two frameworks' performance, scalability, developer experience, features such as routing, data fetching, and SEO, as well as their respective advantages, limitations, and recommended use cases. I will also share my insights and expectations towards the HNG Internship program, which starts on the 1st of July.
Overview of ReactJS and Next.js
ReactJS
ReactJS is a powerful JavaScript library for building dynamic user interfaces. In May 2013, Facebook created it to improve the process of building user interfaces for web applications. Its component-based architecture (allows codes to be reusable). ReactJS makes development more efficient and maintainable. The virtual DOM and the declarative nature of it make creating interactive web applications easier.
Next.js
Vercel developed Next.js to enhance ReactJS. Its features are:
Server-Side Rendering (SSR): the web page's content renders on the server instead of the client's browser.
Static Site Generation (SSG), and automatic code splitting: These features improve performance and developer experience, making Next.js the best framework for modern web development.
ReactJS is great for single-page applications (SPAs) and projects that require high customization and flexibility. Next.js is ideal for projects where performance and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) are important, such as e-commerce sites and content-heavy platforms.
REACTJS VS NEXT.JS
In this section, I will compare ReactJS and Next.js based on their performance, scalability, routing, and data-fetching
Performance
ReactJS Performance
ReactJS improves the performance of web applications by using the virtual DOM, which reduces direct manipulation of the actual DOM. It is advised to use additional tools and libraries like React Router, React Query, and Webpack to get the best performance of ReactJS.
```
import React, { useState } from 'react';
function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return (
<div>
<p>You clicked {count} times</p>
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Click me</button>
</div>
);
}
export default Counter;
```
In the code above, the React component "Counter" uses the "useState" hook to manage the state. When you click the button, it updates the UI dynamically.
Next.js Performance
Next.js includes SSR and SSG, which improve performance greatly. Pre-rendered pages load only with the essential JavaScript. This makes pages load faster and improves SEO.
```
import Link from 'next/link';
function HomePage() {
return (
<div>
<h1>Welcome to Next.js!</h1>
<Link href="/about">
<a>About Us</a>
</Link>
</div>
);
}
export default HomePage;
```
In the code above, the HomePage component in Next.js shows how to link a page to another page using Link from next/link. This setup improves performance by loading pages quickly and improving the user experience with seamless navigation.
Scalability
Scalability in ReactJS
ReactJS handles scalability by using reusable components and state management libraries such as Redux; however, scaling large applications can become complex without a solid architectural strategy.
```
import { createStore } from 'redux';
import rootReducer from './reducers';
const store = createStore(rootReducer);
export default store;
```
The code above shows how Redux manages large-scale applications by arranging and simplifying how application data is stored and accessed.
Scalability in Next.js
Next.js simplifies scalability with features like automatic code splitting and static site generation, which allows seamless scaling without sacrificing performance.
```
import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';
const DynamicComponent = dynamic(() => import('../components/DynamicComponent'));
function HomePage() {
return (
<div>
<h1>Home Page</h1>
<DynamicComponent />
</div>
);
}
export default HomePage;
```
The code above shows how Next.js scales effectively by loading essential JavaScript code dynamically, which helps improve performance and speed up web pages.
Routing
ReactJS Routing
ReactJS relies on libraries like React Router for routing, which offers flexibility but requires additional setup.
```
import { BrowserRouter as Router, Route, Switch } from 'react-router-dom';
import Home from './Home';
import About from './About';
function App() {
return (
<Router>
<Switch>
<Route path="/" exact component={Home} />
<Route path="/about" component={About} />
</Switch>
</Router>
);
}
export default App;
```
In the code above, 'react-router-dom' handles the routing. The entire application is wrapped in a <Router> component, which manages different paths like "/" for the Home page and "/about" for the About page using <Route> components inside a <Switch>. This setup ensures that only one page is shown at a time based on the URL.
Next.js Routing
Next.js provides a built-in routing mechanism based on the file system structure, simplifying the process.
```
import Link from 'next/link';
function HomePage() {
return (
<div>
<h1>Home Page</h1>
<Link href="/about">
<a>About</a>
</Link>
</div>
);
}
export default HomePage;
// pages/about.js
function AboutPage() {
return <h1>About Page</h1>;
}
export default AboutPage;
```
In the code above, Next.js simplifies page navigation using the Link component from next/link. When a user clicks on the "About" link (`<a>` tag), it loads the about.js page without reloading the entire application. This makes navigating between different pages smoother and faster for users.
Data Fetching
ReactJS Data Fetching
ReactJS uses hooks like useEffect for fetching data, which gives flexibility but requires manual handling when dealing with server-side rendering (SSR).
```
import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
function DataFetchingExample() {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
useEffect(() => {
fetch('api.example.com/data')
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => setData(data))
.catch(error => console.error('Error fetching data:', error));
}, []);
return (
<div>
<h2>Data Fetching Example in ReactJS</h2>
{data ? (
<ul>
{data.map(item => (
<li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
))}
</ul>
) : (
<p>Loading...</p>
)}
</div>
);
}
export default DataFetchingExample;
```
In the code above, React is used to fetch data from a web server. When the page loads, it requests information from the server. After receiving the data from the server, it displays it on the screen as a list. If there's a delay in receiving the data, we show a 'Loading...' message.
Next.js Data Fetching
Next.js simplifies data fetching using methods like getStaticProps and getServerSideProps. It fetches data during page build or request, which improves performance and SEO while streamlining development.
```
export async function getStaticProps() {
const res = await fetch('api.example.com/data');
const data = await res.json();
return {
props: {
data,
},
};
}
function HomePage({ data }) {
return (
<div>
<h2>Data Fetching Example in Next.js</h2>
{data ? (
<ul>
{data.map(item => (
<li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
))}
</ul>
) : (
<p>Loading...</p>
)}
</div>
);
}
export default HomePage;
```
The code above shows the use of fetch() to fetch an external API and retrieve data in Next.js. It simplifies development by pre-loading and preparing data for display when the page loads, which improves user experience and reduces loading times.
My HNG Internship Expectations
As I start my journey with the HNG Internship, I am looking forward to the training ahead. With a year of experience as a front-end web developer, I have worked with various web tools and frameworks. I am excited to learn from experienced mentors, take on challenging projects, and improve my expertise in web development skills. I aim to build meaningful connections in the industry because it will help me to achieve my dream of securing a web development role, and this internship is an important step towards that goal.
Joining this program will benefit my career path. I aim to be among the outstanding interns who make it to the final round. The HNG Internship provides a valuable opportunity for learning, personal advancement, and teamwork, and I am enthusiastic about making a meaningful contribution and developing valuable expertise.
Conclusion
ReactJS and Next.js are powerful tools for frontend development, each with its strengths and weaknesses. ReactJS offers unparalleled flexibility and a vast ecosystem, while Next.js provides improved performance, scalability, and SEO capabilities. By understanding the differences and evaluating your project needs, you can choose the framework that best aligns with your goals. For more information about the comparison of the two frameworks, you can check out the following additional resources:
To learn more about the HNG Internship and its opportunities, visit the HNG Tech website and HNG Hire.