Keeping Up with AI and Web Development

Importance of Staying Informed

• Crucial to be up-to-date with industry advancements.
• New technologies shape the job market.

React: From 2013 to 2023

• 2013: Facebook introduces React.
• 2023: Official documentation suggests using React-powered frameworks.
• Recommendation: Next.js for modern app development.

Special Resource: Next.js 13 eBook

• Free for the first 1000 subscribers.
• Covers:
  • Next.js roadmap
  • Essential concepts
  • New features of Next 13
  • Building scalable projects
  • Project ideas for portfolios and job acquisition

Industry Adoption of Next.js

• Companies using Next.js: Netflix, TikTok, Twitch, Hulu, Notion, Target, Nike.
• Trend: Increasing job opportunities in Next.js.

Building Modern Next.js Applications

• Focus: Full-stack applications
• Tools: Automatic serverless functions, rendering flexibility, and code splitting.
• Rendering Options:
  • Client-side Rendering (CSR)
  • Server-side Rendering (SSR)
  • Static Site Generation (SSG)

SEO Advantages with Next.js

• Problem: SEO challenges with client-side rendering.
• Solution: Next.js pre-rendered code improves SEO.
• Benefits of SEO: Organic traffic, user experience, credibility, competitive advantage.

File-based Routing

• React: Needs react-router-dom.
• Next.js: Each folder becomes a route; simple file-based system.

Full-Stack Capabilities

• From Next.js 9: Serverless API routes, no need for traditional servers.
• Example: Creating route and API endpoint in a directory structure.

Automatic Code Splitting

• React: Manual process using lazy and suspense.
• Next.js: Automatic by default, optimizes user experiences.

Layout and Metadata

• Files:
  • layout.js: Common layout or template for all pages.
  • page.js: Represents home page route.
  • globals.css: Global CSS styles.
• Metadata API: Static and Dynamic metadata for SEO optimization.

Data Fetching Methods

• SSR: Fetches fresh data on each request.
• SSG: Cached data for static content.
• ISR: Combines SSR and SSG, caching with an expiration time.

Project Setup in Next.js

• Installation:
  • Using npx create-next-app command.
• Dependencies:
  • bcrypt, mongodb, Mongoose, next-auth.
• Structure:
  • app folder: Primary folder.
  • Other folders: components, models, public, styles, utils.

Auth and Database Setup

• Google Auth: Setup through Google Cloud Console.
• MongoDB: Using MongoDB Atlas.
• Connecting:
  • Middleware function to check connection status.

Creating Application Components

• Components: Feed, Form, Nav, Profile, PromptCard, Provider.
• Reusable components to optimize developer workflows.

Deployment Process

• Use Vercel for deploying Next.js applications.
• Handle environment variables securely.

Next Steps

• Implement additional features:
  • Search functionalities by content, tag, and username.
  • Profile viewing options.
  • Enhanced SEO strategies.
• Share your projects on social media with appropriate hashtags and tags for feedback and recognition.