Getting Started with Next.js

Next.js is a powerful React framework that enables you to build fast, production-ready web applications. In this guide, we'll explore the fundamentals of Next.js and how to get started with building your first application. ## What is Next.js? Next.js is a React-based framework that provides a set of conventions and tools for building React applications. It handles routing, server-side rendering, code splitting, and more out of the box. ## Setting Up Your First Next.js App To create a new Next.js application, you can use the create-next-app command: ```bash npx create-next-app@latest my-app ``` This will set up a new Next.js project with all the necessary dependencies and a basic file structure. ## Key Features of Next.js - **File-based Routing**: Create pages by adding files to the app directory - **Server-Side Rendering**: Improved performance and SEO - **API Routes**: Build backend endpoints within your Next.js app - **Image Optimization**: Built-in image optimization and lazy loading - **Automatic Code Splitting**: Optimized bundle sizes for faster loading ## Conclusion Next.js provides a powerful foundation for building modern web applications. With its built-in features and conventions, you can focus on building great user experiences without worrying about complex configurations.