What is static site generation (SSG) and how is it implemented in Next.js : Omnath Dubey

Static site generation (SSG) is a technique used to generate fully-formed HTML documents at build time, rather than at runtime. This can improve the performance of web applications by reducing the need for server resources and minimizing the time it takes for content to be displayed.

In Next.js, static site generation is implemented using a process called "pre-rendering." During the build process, Next.js generates static HTML files for each page in the application, based on the data available at build time. When a user requests a page, Next.js serves the pre-rendered HTML file, rather than rendering the page on the server or client.

Next.js provides several features that make it easy to implement static site generation. One of the key features is incremental static regeneration (ISR), which allows pre-rendered pages to be re-generated on the server as new data becomes available. This ensures that pages remain up-to-date and can be used to display real-time information without sacrificing the benefits of static site generation.

To implement SSG in Next.js, developers can use the getStaticProps and getStaticPaths functions. getStaticProps is used to fetch data at build time and pass it to the component as props, while getStaticPaths is used to generate dynamic routes for the application.

Overall, Next.js provides a powerful and flexible platform for implementing static site generation. Its built-in support for ISR, getStaticProps, and getStaticPaths make it easy to create fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly web applications that can handle complex data requirements.