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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.

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