Page is missing param in generateStaticParams() when using output: export

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Summary

The issue at hand is a Runtime Error in a Next.js application using next-intl with static export. The error message indicates that a page is missing a required parameter in the generateStaticParams() function, which is necessary when using the "output: export" config. This error is specifically occurring for a single portfolio dynamic route.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue can be attributed to several factors, including:

  • Incorrect implementation of generateStaticParams() for dynamic routes
  • Insufficient handling of locale and other required parameters in the generateStaticParams() function
  • Differences in how generateStaticParams() is implemented across different pages (e.g., single news page vs. single portfolio page)

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue arises in real systems due to the following reasons:

  • Complexity of Dynamic Routing: Dynamic routes, especially those involving multiple parameters like locale, ID, and name, can be complex to manage and may lead to errors if not properly handled.
  • Configuration and Implementation: The specific configurations of next-intl and Next.js, along with how generateStaticParams() is implemented, play a crucial role in determining how static parameters are generated and used.
  • Locale and Internationalization: Handling locale correctly is essential, especially when dealing with static site generation (SSG) and server-side rendering (SSR), as it affects how pages are generated and served.

Real-World Impact

The real-world impact of this issue includes:

  • Broken User Experience: Users may encounter errors or be unable to access certain pages, leading to a poor user experience.
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Issues: Incorrectly generated static pages can affect how search engines crawl and index the site, potentially leading to SEO issues.
  • Development Time and Resources: Debugging and resolving this issue can consume significant development time and resources.

Example or Code

export async function generateStaticParams() {
  try {
    const response = await fetchGallery({ page: 1, size: 1000 });
    return response.data.map((item) => {
      const slug = `${item.id}-${item.title.replace(/\s+/g, "-")}`;
      return { 
        params: {
          id: item.id, 
          name: slug, 
          locale: "en" // Ensure locale is correctly handled
        }
      };
    });
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Error fetching gallery items for static generation:", error);
    return [];
  }
}

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers fix this issue by:

  • Carefully Reviewing generateStaticParams(): Ensuring that all required parameters, including locale, are correctly handled and passed.
  • Testing Dynamic Routes: Thoroughly testing dynamic routes to catch any errors or inconsistencies.
  • Debugging: Using Next.js and next-intl debugging tools to identify where the issue lies.
  • Refactoring Code: If necessary, refactoring the implementation of generateStaticParams() and related functions to ensure they correctly handle all parameters and locales.

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers might miss this issue due to:

  • Lack of Experience with Dynamic Routing: Inexperience with handling complex dynamic routes and parameters.
  • Insufficient Understanding of next-intl and Locale Handling: Not fully grasping how next-intl handles locales and how this impacts static site generation.
  • Overlooking Details in Documentation: Missing crucial details in the Next.js and next-intl documentation regarding the implementation of generateStaticParams() and locale handling.