ExpressJS vs Next.js: What are the differences?

ExpressJS and Next.js are popular frameworks for building web applications, but they have distinct differences in their approach and functionality. Let's explore the key differences between them:

1. Architecture: ExpressJS is a minimalistic framework. It follows a middleware-based architecture, allowing developers to add custom functionality at each step of the request-response cycle. Next.js, on the other hand, is a higher-level framework built on top of React. It provides a more opinionated architecture with built-in support for server-side rendering, automatic routing, and other advanced features.

2. Server-side Rendering: ExpressJS primarily focuses on client-side rendering, where the server sends static HTML files to the client, and the client-side JavaScript takes over to handle interactivity. Next.js, on the other hand, excels at server-side rendering (SSR) and offers built-in support for it. SSR enables faster initial page load times, improved SEO, and better user experience.

3. Routing: ExpressJS offers manual route handling, where developers define routes and associated middleware manually. It provides flexibility but requires explicit route definitions. In contrast, Next.js offers automatic routing based on file structure. Developers can create pages by simply creating corresponding files in the pages directory, and Next.js handles the routing automatically.

4. Data Fetching: ExpressJS does not provide specific tools or conventions for data fetching. Developers have the freedom to choose their preferred data fetching libraries or approaches. Next.js, however, offers built-in support for data fetching through. These functions allow developers to fetch data during the server-side rendering process and pass it as props to the corresponding components.

5. Ecosystem and Community: ExpressJS has a mature and extensive ecosystem with a wide range of middleware and libraries available. It has been around for a long time and has a large and active community that contributes to its development and provides support. Next.js, while relatively newer, has gained significant popularity and has a growing ecosystem. It benefits from the robust React ecosystem and community support.

In summary, ExpressJS is a lightweight and flexible framework suitable for building custom APIs and microservices, while Next.js is a higher-level framework that excels at server-side rendering, automatic routing, and data fetching.