Next.js 14 Tutorial - 5 - Routing

Summary

This tutorial introduces the file system-based routing mechanism in Next.js, a popular React framework. It explains the conventions required for creating routes, such as placing them within an 'app' folder and naming them 'page.js' or 'page.tsx'. The video demonstrates how to set up the root route and additional routes using simple React components. It also covers how Next.js automatically handles 404 errors for non-matching routes, showcasing the framework's convention-over-configuration approach to routing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creating a new Next.js project can be done using the command `npx create-next-app`.
• 📂 The routing in Next.js is file-system based, meaning URLs are defined by the file and folder structure within the project.
• 📁 All routes must be placed inside an `app` folder, which is located within the `src` directory.
• 🔑 Each file representing a route should be named `page.js` or `page.tsx`, depending on whether TypeScript is used.
• 🏠 The `page.tsx` file within the `app` folder automatically maps to the root of the domain, such as `localhost:3000`.
• 🔍 Each folder within the `app` directory corresponds to a segment in the browser's URL, and files within these folders define the routes for those segments.
• 🛑 If a URL does not match any file in the `app` folder, Next.js automatically responds with a 404 Not Found error.
• 🎨 Customizing routes involves creating new folders within the `app` directory and adding `page.tsx` files with React components.
• 🔄 The `_layout.tsx` file is automatically created by Next.js when the root route is loaded, though it was initially deleted in the script.
• 📝 Following Next.js conventions is crucial for routing to work correctly, emphasizing the framework's 'convention over configuration' philosophy.
• 🔍 Understanding file-based routing simplifies the process of setting up routes, as there is no need for explicit router configuration with code.

Q & A

What is the primary feature of Next.js that the script discusses?

The script primarily discusses the file system-based routing feature offered by Next.js.

What command is used to create a new Next.js project?

The command used to create a new Next.js project is 'npx create-next-app'.

What is the role of the 'app' folder in Next.js routing?

The 'app' folder is where all the routes must be placed in Next.js, and it is a convention to follow for file-based routing.

What should be the naming convention for files representing routes in the 'app' folder?

Files representing routes should be named 'page.js' or 'page.tsx' depending on whether JavaScript or TypeScript is used.

How does Next.js handle the root route of a domain?

Next.js maps the 'page.tsx' file within the 'app' folder to the root of the domain.

What happens when a user navigates to a URL that does not correspond to a file in the 'app' folder?

Next.js automatically responds with a 404 Not Found response if the URL does not map to a file in the 'app' folder.

What is the main advantage of Next.js over traditional React applications?

The main advantage of Next.js over traditional React applications is the built-in support for server-side rendering, which can improve performance and SEO.