Next.js provides API routes to handle backend functionality within your application. These routes live in the pages/api/ directory and allow you to create endpoints for fetching data, authentication, and handling form submissions.
Using this approach allows for better scalability, flexibility, and efficiency in your applications. It helps in organizing code, improving performance, and ensuring seamless content updates.
Creating an API Route
To define an API route, create a file inside pages/api/ (e.g., hello.js)
export default function handler(req, res) {
if (req.method === "POST") {
res.status(200).json({ message: "Data received!" });
} else {
res.status(405).json({ message: "Method not allowed" });
}
}
Conclusion
API routes in Next.js provide a simple way to create backend functionality without setting up a separate server. They work well for handling requests like authentication, database interactions, and more.