Skip to main content

What’s the difference between static and dynamic routing? When would you use one over the other?

The difference between static and dynamic routing boils down to how routes (i.e., URLs) are defined and handled in a web application — especially in modern frontend frameworks like React, Next.js, Vue, or backend setups like Express or Django.

What’s the difference between static and dynamic routing? When would you use one over the other?

🔁 Static Routing

✅ Definition

Static routing means that routes are predefined at build-time or in configuration, and are not generated based on external data.

📂 Example (Next.js or React Router):

<Route path="/about" component={AboutPage} />
<Route path="/contact" component={ContactPage} />

Or for file-based routing:

/pages/about.js
/pages/contact.js

✅ When to Use Static Routing

  • When you know the exact URL paths ahead of time.

  • For informational pages: About, Contact, Terms, etc.

  • Faster performance (can often be statically generated).

  • Better for SEO, since content can be crawled and cached easily.

⚙️ Dynamic Routing

✅ Definition

Dynamic routing means that routes are generated based on runtime data, such as database entries or user input. A single route pattern handles many different URLs.

🧩 Example:


<Route path="/blog/:slug" component={BlogPost} />

This route could match:

  • /blog/seo-basics

  • /blog/react-vs-vue

  • /blog/404-troubleshooting

Or in file-based routing (Next.js):


/pages/blog/[slug].js

✅ When to Use Dynamic Routing

  • For content-driven or user-generated content:

    • Blog posts, products, users, articles.

  • When the URL depends on external data (e.g., slugs or IDs from a CMS).

  • When routes are not known at build time.

  • Ideal for headless CMS setups or e-commerce platforms.

🧠 Comparison Summary

FeatureStatic RoutingDynamic Routing
Defined atBuild-time or manuallyRuntime or from data (e.g., DB, CMS)
Examples/about, /contact/blog/:slug, /product/:id
Use caseFixed pagesDynamic content (posts, products)
PerformanceCan be fully static, very fastSlightly heavier, may require SSR/API
SEOVery SEO-friendlySEO-friendly with proper setup
FlexibilityLimitedVery flexible

✅ When to Use Each

Use Static Routing when:

  • The number of pages is small and fixed.

  • You want maximum performance (e.g., via static site generation).

  • Content doesn’t change often.

Use Dynamic Routing when:

  • You have many similar pages based on data.

  • Content is created or modified frequently (e.g., blogs, products).

  • You’re integrating with a CMS or external API.

Popular posts from this blog

What are the different types of directives in Angular? Give real-world examples.

In Angular, directives are classes that allow you to manipulate the DOM or component behavior . There are three main types of directives: 🧱 1. Component Directives Technically, components are directives with a template. They control a section of the screen (UI) and encapsulate logi c. ✅ Example: @Component ({ selector : 'app-user-card' , template : `<h2>{{ name }}</h2>` }) export class UserCardComponent { name = 'Alice' ; } 📌 Real-World Use: A ProductCardComponent showing product details on an e-commerce site. A ChatMessageComponent displaying individual messages in a chat app. ⚙️ 2. Structural Directives These change the DOM layout by adding or removing elements. ✅ Built-in Examples: *ngIf : Conditionally includes a template. *ngFor : Iterates over a list and renders template for each item. *ngSwitch : Switches views based on a condition. 📌 Real-World Use: < div * ngIf = "user.isLoggedIn...
Read more

Explain the Angular compilation process: View Engine vs. Ivy.

 The Angular compilation process transforms your Angular templates and components into efficient JavaScript code that the browser can execute. Over time, Angular has evolved from the View Engine compiler to a newer, more efficient system called Ivy . Here's a breakdown of the differences between View Engine and Ivy , and how each affects the compilation process: 🔧 1. What Is Angular Compilation? Angular templates ( HTML inside components) are not regular HTML—they include Angular-specific syntax like *ngIf , {{ }} interpolation, and custom directives. The compiler translates these templates into JavaScript instructions that render and update the DOM. Angular uses Ahead-of-Time (AOT) or Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation modes: JIT : Compiles in the browser at runtime (used in development). AOT : Compiles at build time into efficient JS (used in production). 🧱 2. View Engine (Legacy Compiler) ➤ Used in Angular versions < 9 🔍 How It Works: Compiles templat...
Read more

What is Zone.js, and why does Angular rely on it?

Zone.js is a library that Angular relies on to manage asynchronous operations and automatically trigger change detection when necessary. Think of it as a wrapper around JavaScript’s async APIs (like setTimeout , Promise , addEventListener , etc.) that helps Angular know when your app's state might have changed. 🔍 What is Zone.js? Zone.js creates an execution context called a "Zone" that persists across async tasks. It tracks when tasks are scheduled and completed—something JavaScript doesn't do natively. Without Zone.js, Angular wouldn’t automatically know when user interactions or async events (like an HTTP response) occur. You’d have to manually tell Angular to update the UI. ⚙️ Why Angular Uses Zone.js ✅ 1. Automatic Change Detection Zone.js lets Angular detect when an async task finishes and automatically run change detection to update the UI accordingly. Example: ts setTimeout ( () => { this . value = 'Updated!' ; // Angular know...
Read more