What is Next.js?

Next.js is a popular open-source React framework that enables developers to build modern web applications. Developed by Vercel, Next.js provides a powerful toolset for building server-side rendered (SSR) and statically generated websites and web applications with React.

Key features of Next.js include:

1. Server-side rendering (SSR): Next.js allows you to render React components on the server side before sending them to the client. This can improve initial loading performance and help with search engine optimization (SEO).

2. Static site generation (SSG): Next.js supports generating static HTML files at build time, which can be served to clients directly from a content delivery network (CDN). This approach can significantly improve performance and reduce server load for content that doesn't change frequently.

3. Automatic code splitting: Next.js automatically splits JavaScript code into smaller chunks, which are loaded on demand as users navigate through the application. This helps reduce the initial bundle size and improve loading times.

4. File-based routing: Next.js uses a simple and intuitive file-based routing system. Developers can create pages by adding React components to the pages directory, and Next.js automatically routes URLs based on the file structure.

5. API routes: Next.js allows developers to create API endpoints within their applications using serverless functions. These API routes can be implemented using Node.js and are seamlessly integrated into the application.

6. Built-in CSS and Sass support: Next.js provides built-in support for CSS and Sass, allowing developers to easily style their applications using traditional CSS or preprocessor languages like Sass.

7. TypeScript support: Next.js has excellent TypeScript support out of the box, making it easy for developers to write type-safe code and catch errors early in the development process.

Overall, Next.js simplifies the process of building React applications by providing a powerful set of features and tools for server-side rendering, static site generation, routing, and more. It has gained popularity among developers for its performance, flexibility, and ease of use.