Problem Statement
What are the main advantages of using Next.js over a plain React application?
Explanation
Next.js provides server-side rendering and static site generation out of the box for better SEO and faster initial page loads, eliminates the need for configuring routing with its file-based system, includes built-in API routes for creating backend endpoints, and offers automatic code splitting and optimization for better performance. It also provides excellent developer experience with Fast Refresh for instant feedback, automatic TypeScript support, built-in CSS and Sass support, and powerful Image and Script components that optimize assets automatically. These features make Next.js production-ready without extensive configuration, whereas plain React requires adding multiple libraries and custom setup to achieve similar capabilities.
