File-Based Routing vs Manual Routing

Developers should use file-based routing when building applications with frameworks that support it, such as Next meets developers should learn manual routing when building lightweight applications, custom frameworks, or when they need maximum flexibility and control over url structures and request handling. Here's our take.

File-Based Routing

Nice Pick

Developers should use file-based routing when building applications with frameworks that support it, such as Next

Pros

• js, Nuxt
• Related to: next-js, nuxt-js

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Manual Routing

Developers should learn manual routing when building lightweight applications, custom frameworks, or when they need maximum flexibility and control over URL structures and request handling

Pros

• It's particularly useful in scenarios where framework constraints are limiting, such as in microservices, serverless functions, or legacy systems that don't use modern routing libraries
• Related to: http-protocol, url-parsing

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use File-Based Routing if: You want js, nuxt and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Manual Routing if: You prioritize it's particularly useful in scenarios where framework constraints are limiting, such as in microservices, serverless functions, or legacy systems that don't use modern routing libraries over what File-Based Routing offers.

The Bottom Line

File-Based Routing wins

Developers should use file-based routing when building applications with frameworks that support it, such as Next