Released on August 28, 2018, Next.js 7 continued to evolve as a powerful framework for React, bringing enhancements focused on developer experience, better handling of assets, and layout improvements. With more flexibility and efficiency built into each update, Next.js 7 made it even easier to create high-performance applications.
Native Support for getInitialProps in _app.js Next.js 7 introduced native support for getInitialProps in _app.js, allowing global data to be fetched and passed to all pages in an application. This simplified data fetching for global needs, such as user authentication or theme preferences, making it easier to handle state across multiple pages.
Improved Static Export Capabilities Static export features in Next.js 7 were further enhanced, enabling better handling of assets, images, and files for exportable static sites. With this update, developers could rely on a more streamlined static export process, ideal for building fast-loading, SEO-friendly sites.
Built-In < Link > Prefetching The Next.js <Link> component in version 7 gained built-in prefetching capabilities, improving page-to-page navigation by preloading assets in the background. As a result, pages load almost instantly when users navigate through the site, enhancing the overall user experience.
Webpack 4 Integration With Next.js 7, the framework upgraded to Webpack 4, bringing improvements in build speed, smaller bundle sizes, and better code splitting. This upgrade helped reduce loading times and optimized the performance of applications.
Better Error Reporting and DebuggingError handling and reporting received a boost in Next.js 7, with clearer error messages and stack traces. Developers could quickly identify issues, enabling faster debugging and a more efficient development experience.
Next.js 7 delivered significant improvements to both developer experience and application performance. With better asset management, enhanced prefetching, and streamlined data handling, it made building and optimizing React applications easier than ever, solidifying Next.js as a top choice for modern web development.