What is difference between React and Next.js?

[GameDev5916]

I want to know the differences between React and Next.js in more detail.

[hoho9155]

React and Next.js are both JavaScript technologies used for building web applications, but they serve different purposes and are often used in conjunction with each other. Here are the key differences between React and Next.js:

React:

Library vs. Framework: React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It provides the core functionality for building UI components and managing the view layer of web applications.

Client-Side Rendering (CSR): By default, React is primarily used for client-side rendering. This means that the initial HTML is loaded, and then JavaScript is used to render and update the UI in the browser. React can also be used with server-side rendering (SSR) libraries and frameworks like Next.js for SSR support.

Routing: React does not provide built-in routing. Developers typically use third-party libraries like React Router to implement client-side routing.

Custom Configuration: React applications require developers to configure various aspects of the development environment, such as Webpack, Babel, and server-side rendering, from scratch. This gives developers greater flexibility but also requires more setup.

Static Sites: React can be used to build static websites, but it requires additional configuration and tooling to generate static HTML files.

Next.js:

Framework: Next.js is a framework built on top of React. It provides a more comprehensive solution for building web applications, including server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and routing.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generation (SSG): Next.js simplifies the process of implementing server-side rendering and static site generation. It allows you to render pages on the server, which can improve performance and SEO.

Built-In Routing: Next.js has built-in routing capabilities, which makes it easy to create client-side navigation within your application.

Convenient Development Environment: Next.js comes with a built-in development server and tooling, making it easier to get started with server-side rendering and other advanced features.

Automatic Code Splitting: Next.js supports automatic code splitting, which helps improve page load times by loading only the JavaScript required for the current page.

Simplified Setup: Next.js provides a simplified and opinionated approach to development, reducing the need for complex configuration.

In summary, React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, while Next.js is a framework built on top of React that simplifies server-side rendering, routing, and other aspects of web development. If you need server-side rendering, routing, and other advanced features, Next.js can be a more efficient choice. However, for simpler projects, React may be sufficient on its own. Many developers use both in conjunction, with React for building UI components and Next.js for handling server-side rendering and routing.