As a developer, you’re likely no stranger to the concept of passing data between pages in your Next.JS application. But what happens when you need to send not just one, but multiple data strings between pages? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Next.JS and explore the best practices for sending multiple data strings between pages with ease.

What is Next.JS and Why Do We Need to Send Data Between Pages?

Next.JS is a popular React-based framework for building server-side rendered (SSR) and statically generated websites and applications. It provides a set of features that make it easy to build fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly applications. One of the key features of Next.JS is its ability to support server-side rendering, which allows you to pre-render pages on the server and then hydrate them on the client-side.

But why do we need to send data between pages? Well, in most applications, data is not isolated to a single page. Often, you need to pass data from one page to another, such as user input, search queries, or filtering criteria. In Next.JS, this can be achieved by using the built-in getStaticProps and getServerSideProps methods to pre-render pages with data.

Methods for Sending Data Between Pages in Next.JS

There are several methods for sending data between pages in Next.JS, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore the most common methods:

• Query String Parameters: One of the simplest ways to send data between pages is by using query string parameters. This involves adding key-value pairs to the URL of the destination page, which can then be accessed using the useRouter hook.
• URL Parameters: Similar to query string parameters, URL parameters involve adding data to the URL path of the destination page. This method is useful for sending small amounts of data, such as IDs or slugs.
• Context API: The Context API is a built-in API in Next.JS that allows you to share data between pages using a centralized store. This method is useful for sending larger amounts of data or complex data structures.
• Local Storage: Local storage is a client-side storage mechanism that allows you to store data locally in the user’s browser. This method is useful for sending small amounts of data that don’t need to be persisted across page reloads.
• Server-Side Rendering (SSR) with getStaticProps and getServerSideProps: This method involves using Next.JS’s built-in SSR capabilities to pre-render pages with data. This method is useful for sending data that needs to be rendered on the server-side.

Sending Multiple Data Strings Between Pages Using Query String Parameters

In this section, we’ll explore how to send multiple data strings between pages using query string parameters. This method is useful for sending small amounts of data that don’t need to be persisted across page reloads.

Let’s say we want to send two data strings, name and age, from one page to another. We can achieve this by using the useRouter hook to add the data strings to the URL query string:

import { useRouter } from 'next/router';

const Page1 = () => {
  const router = useRouter();
  const name = 'John Doe';
  const age = '30';

  const handleClick = () => {
    router.push({
      pathname: '/page2',
      query: {
        name,
        age
      }
    });
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={handleClick}>Send data to Page 2</button>
    </div>
  );
};

On the receiving page, we can access the query string parameters using the useRouter hook:

import { useRouter } from 'next/router';

const Page2 = () => {
  const router = useRouter();
  const { name, age } = router.query;

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Name: {name}</h1>
      <h1>Age: {age}</h1>
    </div>
  );
};

Sending Multiple Data Strings Between Pages Using the Context API

In this section, we’ll explore how to send multiple data strings between pages using the Context API. This method is useful for sending larger amounts of data or complex data structures.

Let’s say we want to send two data strings, address and occupation, from one page to another. We can achieve this by creating a Context API provider and consumer:

import { createContext, useContext } from 'react';
import { useState } from 'react';

const DataContext = createContext();

const DataProvider = ({ children }) => {
  const [data, setData] = useState({
    address: '',
    occupation: ''
  });

  return (
    <DataContext.Provider value={{ data, setData }}>
      {children}
    </DataContext.Provider>
  );
};

const Page1 = () => {
  const { data, setData } = useContext(DataContext);
  const address = '123 Main St';
  const occupation = 'Software Engineer';

  const handleClick = () => {
    setData({ address, occupation });
    router.push('/page2');
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={handleClick}>Send data to Page 2</button>
    </div>
  );
};

On the receiving page, we can access the data using the Context API consumer:

const Page2 = () => {
  const { data } = useContext(DataContext);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Address: {data.address}</h1>
      <h1>Occupation: {data.occupation}</h1>
    </div>
  );
};

Sending Multiple Data Strings Between Pages Using Local Storage

In this section, we’ll explore how to send multiple data strings between pages using local storage. This method is useful for sending small amounts of data that don’t need to be persisted across page reloads.

Let’s say we want to send two data strings, favoriteColor and favoriteFood, from one page to another. We can achieve this by using the localStorage API:

const Page1 = () => {
  const favoriteColor = 'Blue';
  const favoriteFood = 'Pizza';

  localStorage.setItem('favoriteColor', favoriteColor);
  localStorage.setItem('favoriteFood', favoriteFood);

  router.push('/page2');
};

const Page2 = () => {
  const favoriteColor = localStorage.getItem('favoriteColor');
  const favoriteFood = localStorage.getItem('favoriteFood');

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Favorite Color: {favoriteColor}</h1>
      <h1>Favorite Food: {favoriteFood}</h1>
    </div>
  );
};

Best Practices for Sending Multiple Data Strings Between Pages

When sending multiple data strings between pages, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure data integrity and security. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use secure data transmission methods: When sending sensitive data, use HTTPS or another secure data transmission method to prevent data interception.
• Validate user input: Always validate user input to prevent XSS attacks and data corruption.
• Use data serialization: When sending complex data structures, use data serialization methods like JSON or XML to ensure data integrity.
• Use caching mechanisms: Implement caching mechanisms to reduce the load on your server and improve page performance.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the best practices for sending multiple data strings between pages in Next.JS. We’ve covered three methods for sending data, including query string parameters, the Context API, and local storage. By following best practices and choosing the right method for your use case, you can ensure seamless data transmission between pages in your Next.JS application.