Usually, while working with Next.js, developers and budding programmers tend to have the dilemma of whether Next.js is front-end or back-end. Next.js is a framework that is built on top of the foundation established by React. Next.js is primarily used for developing and building web applications, e-commerce websites, marketing landing pages, and content-related websites, and handling blogs, etc.
While Next.js has inherited a lot of tools and frameworks from React, it has created a dilemma for developers and budding programmers who are using the framework to develop sophisticated and productive web applications.
The developers and aspiring programmers sometimes get confused about whether Next.js is front-end or back-end, and due to this dilemma, they often make blunders in choosing the most suitable framework for their projects.
Developed by Vercel, Next.js has become one of the most popular preferences amongst developers and aspiring programmers alike, who use it to develop and build web applications that are both productive and competent. Businesses and startups are now opting for the best professional Next.js development services for creating effective user interfaces and experiences that propel them towards business growth.
Contemplating the History of Whether Next.js is Front-end or Back-end
Next.js is a framework that was developed by Vercel (formerly known as Zeit). It was built and released on GitHub as an open-source project in October 2016. Developed and released by Guillermo Rauch and his team, Next.js was designed for the sole purpose of overcoming the limitations of React, specifically built-in SSR and SSG.
After its release in 2016, Next.js has been receiving a lot of popularity and positive feedback from various developers and programmers alike, as it was used to build React applications with features like SSR and SSG.
Next.js has been receiving a lot of updates and patches; it has become more usable and popular than React, as it is similar to React but with a load of better features. Currently, Next.js is being managed by Vercel and a rather significantly large open-source community that supports the development of the framework by bringing in new features, security patches, and updates.
Next.js has also inculcated an RFC (Request for Comments) on GitHub that invites developers and programmers to give more input and feedback on the framework. Right now, Next.js has become the most popular choice, and it is being used by various flagship companies to develop responsive and efficient web applications.
The Various Differences Between Front-end and Back-end Development
Before clearing the confusion of whether Next.js is a front-end or a back-end framework, it is very important and significant to understand the various differences between front-end development and back-end development.
Understanding these differences will help the businesses, developers, and programmers to get a better understanding of whether Next.js is front-end or back-end. The various differences between front-end development and back-end development are mentioned below:
Front-end Development:
Front-end development, also known as client-side development, is a process of developing web applications that users can interact with and visualize. Front-end development is used for the creation of effective user interfaces and efficient user experiences.
Front-end developers use multiple fundamental technologies like HTML and JavaScript and frameworks like React.js, Next.js, Vue.js, Angular.js, and Alpine.js to build web applications, whereas they use frameworks like React Native and Flutter to develop mobile applications that are responsive and effective.
Back-end Development:
Back-end development, also known as server-side development, is the process of developing databases and the infrastructure for the serviceability of the web application.
This kind of development consists of building databases that can handle vast amounts of data to process it, store it, and salvage it. This development is also responsible for processing requests and sending appropriate feedback to the front-end team.
Back-end programmers use various technologies and frameworks to build a strong foundation for the web application; they use tools and frameworks like JavaScript’s Express.js and Nest.js, Python’s Django and Flask, Java’s Spring and Hibernate, and Go’s Golang.
Determining If Next.js is Front-end or Back-end Framework
To determine if Next.js is front-end or back-end framework, it can be used both for front-end as well as back-end development frameworks, as it has technologies that can be used for both ends of the development spectrum.
But, Next.js is mainly used for front-end development and also has some capabilities that can handle back-end development. The ways in which Next.js is front-end or back-end development framework are mentioned below:
Next.js as a Front-end Development Framework:
Next.js is a crucial front-end development framework that is used by developers and budding programmers to develop client-oriented experiences through interactive and receptive user interfaces.
Next.js is a framework that outshines other front-end frameworks with its rendering capabilities, handling various high-end user interfaces and developing high-end dynamic, interactive, and receptive web pages and applications.
The advantage of using Next.js lies in various features like SSR and SSG that are used to enhance the performance of web applications and optimize the performance of SEO.
Next.js as a Back-end Development Framework:
Next.js is a framework that has some capabilities and features, and can sometimes act as a back-end development framework. Some features, like the API routing, help the back-end developers to develop server-oriented touchpoints within the same codebase.
This feature can also handle database operations, validate data, process data, store vast amounts of data, and retrieve data. Due to this feature, Next.js can be used as a full-stack framework that can handle both front-end and back-end development without the need of having two separate infrastructures.
Settling the Dilemma of Whether Next.js is Front-end or Back-end Framework
To clear the confusion of whether Next.js is a front-end or back-end framework, it is essentially a front-end framework that has back-end capabilities and features.
As Next.js is a framework that is built on the foundation of React, some features and capabilities of React, like API routing, make the framework seem like a front-end framework, but due to the vast majority of other features it offers, Next.js typically becomes a front-end development framework.
In the future, Next.js can likely become a full-stack framework that can handle both front-end development and back-end development, but as of now, it is widely popular for being known as a front-end development framework.
Pattem Digitals, being one of India’s leading software product development companies, has an experienced team who have worked with Next.js both on the front-end and back-end as well.
We will understand your business goals and guide you through the ways Next.js can be used to help you and your businesses gain a competitive edge against the current competitive market.
