Redirect function in NextJS - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ component_behavior

intermediate

What happens when this Next.js redirect function runs?

Consider this Next.js server action code snippet that uses the redirect function. What will the user experience after this code runs?

NextJS

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

export default function Page() {
  redirect('/dashboard');
  return <p>Loading...</p>;
}

A The user is immediately sent to '/dashboard' without seeing 'Loading...'.

B The user sees 'Loading...' briefly, then is redirected to '/dashboard'.

C The page shows 'Loading...' and does not redirect.

D The code throws a runtime error because redirect cannot be used here.

💡 Hint

Think about how the redirect function interrupts rendering in Next.js server components.

In Next.js, calling redirect() in a server component immediately stops rendering and sends a redirect response to the browser. So the user never sees the returned JSX.

📝 Syntax

intermediate

Which option correctly imports and uses the redirect function in Next.js?

You want to redirect users to '/login' inside a server component. Which code snippet is correct?

A

import { redirect } from 'next/router';

export default function Page() {
  redirect('/login');
  return null;
}

B

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

export default function Page() {
  redirect('/login');
  return null;
}

C

import redirect from 'next/router';

export default function Page() {
  redirect('/login');
  return null;
}

D

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

export default function Page() {
  return redirect('/login');
}

💡 Hint

Check the official Next.js docs for the correct import path for redirect.

The redirect function is exported from 'next/navigation' and is called directly inside the component. It does not return JSX, so returning redirect(...) is incorrect.

❓ state_output

advanced

What is the output when redirect is conditionally called in this Next.js server component?

Analyze this code and determine what the user sees or experiences when visiting the page with query param ?auth=false.

NextJS

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

export default function Page({ searchParams }) {
  if (searchParams.auth === 'false') {
    redirect('/signin');
  }
  return <p>Welcome, authenticated user!</p>;
}

A User is redirected to '/signin' immediately if auth is 'false'.

B User sees 'Welcome, authenticated user!' even if auth is 'false'.

C The page crashes with a runtime error because redirect is conditional.

D User sees a blank page with no content.

💡 Hint

Remember how redirect interrupts rendering when called.

If the condition is met, redirect sends a redirect response immediately, so the JSX is never rendered.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this Next.js redirect code cause a runtime error?

Identify the cause of the error in this code snippet.

NextJS

'use client';
import { redirect } from 'next/navigation';

export default function Page() {
  if (typeof window !== 'undefined') {
    redirect('/home');
  }
  return <p>Redirecting...</p>;
}

A redirect must be called inside useEffect, not directly in the component.

B redirect requires an async function but Page is not async.

C redirect is called on the client side, but it only works in server components.

D redirect requires a full URL, not a relative path.

💡 Hint

Think about where redirect can be used in Next.js architecture.

redirect from 'next/navigation' only works in server components or server actions. Checking for window means this runs on client side, causing an error.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

What is the main difference between redirect() and useRouter().push() in Next.js?

Choose the statement that best explains how redirect() differs from useRouter().push() in Next.js routing.

A redirect() and useRouter().push() are interchangeable and behave the same way.

B redirect() changes the URL without reloading; useRouter().push() reloads the entire page from the server.

C redirect() is used only in client components; useRouter().push() is used only in server components.

D redirect() runs on the server and sends an HTTP redirect response; useRouter().push() runs on the client and changes the URL without a full reload.

💡 Hint

Consider where each function runs and how the browser reacts.

redirect() is a server-side function that sends a redirect HTTP response, causing a full navigation. useRouter().push() is a client-side method that changes the URL and updates the page without a full reload.