Chapter 1: React's Evolution in 2024

In 2024, React JS remains a well-known library, but its usage is increasingly intertwined with the Next.js framework.

Do you recall when the last stable version of React JS was released? It’s understandable if you don’t, as it was quite some time ago—June 2022! It appears that the team at Facebook behind React has opted for a hiatus from direct library development. Instead, they are steering users toward frameworks like Next.js, Remix, and Gatsby, as outlined in the official React documentation.

Given the rising popularity of these frameworks, most developers naturally gravitate towards Next.js. The command to initiate a new project is simply:

npx create-next-app@latest

While this isn't a negative shift, it necessitates an understanding of both React fundamentals and Next.js to grasp the full picture. For someone just starting with React, mastering both the core concepts of React and the nuances of Next.js can be challenging. Ultimately, one may find themselves learning React as a subset of Next.js rather than as an independent library.

Why Did We Initially Favor React?

Reflecting on my transition from Angular to React several years ago, here are some reasons that influenced my choice:

• Performance: React's virtual DOM typically outperforms Angular's real DOM, especially in dynamic applications.
• Flexibility and Learning Curve: React offers greater flexibility and has a gentler learning curve, allowing for the integration of various libraries and tools.
• Community and Ecosystem: A robust community and extensive ecosystem surround React, providing a wealth of resources and libraries for developers.
• Simplicity and JSX: JSX enhances component readability and manageability, simplifying code maintenance.

Over the years, it has become evident that developers prefer autonomy in their choices rather than adhering strictly to a framework's guidelines. This preference has fueled React's popularity as a go-to library for Single Page Applications (SPAs). However, the landscape has shifted, as Next.js and Vercel have positioned React within a more structured framework, dictating the development process for those building applications with Next.js.

While I appreciate the capabilities of Next.js, I find the direction taken by the React team concerning. After moving from Angular to React, I now feel a sense of disappointment at reverting to a framework-centric approach.

The Rise of Next.js in the React Community

The increasing dependency on Next.js within the React ecosystem can be attributed to several compelling factors:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Next.js provides built-in support for SSR, which is vital for SEO and enhances the initial load times of web applications.
• Static Site Generation (SSG): This framework allows developers to pre-render pages at build time, resulting in static HTML files that improve both performance and SEO—ideal for content-heavy websites.
• File-Based Routing: Next.js simplifies routing through a file-system-based mechanism, automatically routing pages based on their filenames in the 'pages' directory, which streamlines configurations.
• API Routes: Developers can easily establish API endpoints within their React applications, simplifying the process of building full-stack solutions.
• Zero Configuration: Designed for ease of use, Next.js requires minimal configuration to start, yet is customizable for more complex projects.
• Community Support: Next.js has gained substantial traction among React developers, bolstered by a growing ecosystem and comprehensive documentation.
• Corporate Backing: Vercel, the entity behind Next.js, actively supports the framework's development, ensuring its stability and long-term viability.

Conclusion

In summary, Next.js undoubtedly provides valuable features for enhancing React applications, but its rising dominance within the React ecosystem presents a double-edged sword. While it delivers ready-made solutions for server-side rendering, static site generation, and an improved development experience, this reliance may compromise React's inherent flexibility and simplicity. It could complicate the learning curve for newcomers and introduce unnecessary complexity in smaller projects.

Furthermore, this trend might lead to an over-dependence on a specific framework, raising concerns about the sustainability and adaptability of React projects over time. The potential for ecosystem fragmentation looms, as the community may become divided between pure React practices and those influenced by Next.js, potentially hindering innovation and diversity in development methodologies.

Ultimately, while frameworks like Next.js can greatly enhance React applications, it remains essential for the development community to strike a balance between these benefits and the core principles of React—simplicity, flexibility, and a lightweight architecture. This equilibrium ensures that React continues to be accessible and adaptable for a diverse range of developers and projects, from smaller applications to larger, more complex systems.

❤️ If you appreciate my insights, please consider following and subscribing! ❤️

Follow me on: LinkedIn | Visit Front-end World and subscribe.

In Plain English 🚀

Thank you for being part of the In Plain English community! Before you leave, remember to engage with our content:

Follow us on: X | LinkedIn | YouTube | Discord | Newsletter

Explore our other platforms: Stackademic | CoFeed | Venture

Discover more at PlainEnglish.io