What are the advantages of Angular?

Based on TypeScript: Firmly integrated typing of data and the object-orientation that inevitably comes with TypeScript improves code quality and avoids sources of error. Component-based architecture: Promotes the reusability of code and improves the maintainability of applications. Two-way data binding: Enables direct synchronization between model and view for an interactive user experience. Integrated testing: Comparatively easy to integrate unit tests and end-to-end tests make it easier to ensure application quality. Structure: In contrast to React, VueJs and other current solutions for implementing SinglePageApps, Angular provides enough structure to be able to realize complex tasks in an enterprise environment, but otherwise gives developers all the freedom they need to implement individual software solutions.

What are the disadvantages of Angular?

Steep learning curve: The complexity of Angular can be challenging for beginners. Size of the framework: Especially in the first versions after the switch to TypeScript, Angular solutions tended to be quite heavy and lead to long loading times. For this reason, improvements and fundamental innovations in the area of performance were constantly introduced in all subsequent versions (Ivy, OnewayBinding, Signals, etc.). Versioning and updates: Regular updates can make it difficult to update existing projects.

What important facts should I know about Angular?

Programming languages used: Angular mainly uses TypeScript, but also allows the use of plain JavaScript and other transpiled languages to a certain extent. Use of Angular for mobile applications: Angular supports the development of progressive web apps (PWAs) and can also be used in combination with frameworks such as Ionic for mobile app development. Cost of Angular: Angular is an open source framework and can be used free of charge. Angular services: Services in Angular are classes that encapsulate specific tasks and logic and can be used by multiple components within the application. In contrast to components, they keep data consistent even when switching pages. They separate the display logic from the business logic, regulate the retrieval and storage of data via the server's APIs and increase modularity and reusability.

Who is using Angular?

Google: Uses Angular for many internal projects as well as for public applications such as Google Ads. Microsoft: Uses Angular for various projects, including the management tools for Office 365. Forbes: Forbes' website uses Angular to provide a fast and responsive user experience. Upwork: The freelancer platform uses Angular for its user interface. Delta Airlines: Uses Angular to develop their customer and booking portals.

What are examples for single-page applications?

Checkout systems: E-commerce websites use Angular to implement seamless and fast checkout processes. Configurators: Applications for product configuration, such as for car purchases or customized furniture. Dashboards: Interactive and dynamic dashboards for data visualization and analysis. Management software: Complex management applications for companies that require a high level of interactivity and fast data updating. Content management systems (CMS): Systems that allow users to create and edit content in real time.

Angular

Q: What is Angular?

Angular is a powerful framework for the development of single-page web applications (SPAs). It is developed by Google and a dedicated community. Since its introduction, Angular has established itself as one of the leading tools for creating dynamic and responsive web applications. Based on TypeScript, Angular provides a solid foundation for developers to create sophisticated applications that provide a smooth user experience on desktop and mobile platforms.

Q: When was Angular developed?

Angular was first released in 2010 under the name AngularJS. This early version was a milestone in the development of web applications and laid the foundation for the modern Angular framework. In 2016, a completely revised version was introduced, which is often referred to as Angular 2+. In particular, the switch from JavaScript to TypeScript as the primary programming language meant that the new version set a milestone, also in terms of performance, scalability and range of functions.

Introduction to Angular

Angular is a powerful framework for the development of single-page web applications (SPAs). It is developed by Google and a dedicated community. Since its introduction, Angular has established itself as one of the leading tools for creating dynamic and responsive web applications. Based on TypeScript, Angular provides a solid foundation for developers to create sophisticated applications that provide a smooth user experience on desktop and mobile platforms.

The development

Logo von Angular

Figure 1: Angular logo
Source: Angular

Angular was first released in 2010 under the name AngularJS. This early version was a milestone in the development of web applications and laid the foundation for the modern Angular framework.

In 2016, a completely revised version was introduced, which is often referred to as Angular 2+. In particular, the switch from JavaScript to TypeScript as the primary programming language meant that the new version set a milestone, also in terms of performance, scalability and range of functions.

What does Angular offer?

Angular is a comprehensive frontend framework that provides developers with tools and libraries to create modern and user-friendly web applications. It enables the development of applications that run smoothly on desktop and mobile devices and offer powerful, interactive user interfaces.

Advantages of Angular

Based on TypeScript: Firmly integrated typing of data and the object-orientation that inevitably comes with TypeScript improves code quality and avoids sources of error.
Component-based architecture: Promotes the reusability of code and improves the maintainability of applications.
Two-way data binding: Enables direct synchronization between model and view for an interactive user experience.
Integrated testing: Comparatively easy to integrate unit tests and end-to-end tests make it easier to ensure application quality.
Structure: In contrast to React, VueJs and other current solutions for implementing SinglePageApps, Angular provides enough structure to be able to realize complex tasks in an enterprise environment, but otherwise gives developers all the freedom they need to implement individual software solutions.

Disadvantages of Angular

Steep learning curve: The complexity of Angular can be challenging for beginners.
Size of the framework: Especially in the first versions after the switch to TypeScript, Angular solutions tended to be quite heavy and lead to long loading times. For this reason, improvements and fundamental innovations in the area of performance were constantly introduced in all subsequent versions (Ivy, OnewayBinding, Signals, etc.).
Versioning and updates: Regular updates can make it difficult to update existing projects.

Angular directives

Directives are a central component of Angular. They are used to extending or change the behavior of DOM elements. There are three main types of directives in Angular: Components, Attribute Directives and Structure Directives.

Component directives implement the principle of web components and make them available via custom HTML tags. Components enable reusability and easier maintainability.

Attribute direct ives extend existing HTML tags with custom attributes.

Structure directives make it possible to include display logic in the HTML and to change the structure of the DOM by adding or removing elements and showing or hiding them. (*ngFor, *ngIf etc.)

Angular compared to React and Vue

A frequently discussed topic in web development is the comparison between Angular, React and Vue. These frameworks (or libraries in the case of react) are currently the most popular tools for creating modern web applications. Angular offers a comprehensive solution with built-in functions and strong typing through TypeScript. React, developed by Facebook, is a library that focuses on the creation of UI components and can be supplemented by a wide range of extensions. Vue is a progressive framework that is known for its simplicity and flexibility and offers an easy learning curve.

Criteria	Angular	React	Vue
Developer	Google and community	Facebook and community	Evan You and community
First released	in 2010 (as AngularJS)	2013	2014
Programming language	TypeScript	JavaScript	JavaScript
Architecture	Complete framework	Library for UI components	Progressive framework
Typing	Strong typing with TypeScript	Optional with Flow or TypeScript	Optional with TypeScript
Rendering	Client-side and server-side	Client-side and server-side	Client-side and server-side
Learning curve	Steep	Moderate	Flat
Popularity	Widely used in Enterprise	Most widely used	Increasingly popular
Components	Declarative and modular	Functional and class components	Declarative and simple
Community and ecosystem	Large community and extensive ecosystem	Very large community and diverse ecosystem	Growing community and good ecosystem
Documentation	Comprehensive	Excellent	Very good
State management	RxJS, NgRx	Redux, MobX	Vuex
Mobile development	Ionic	React Native	NativeScript
Performance	Good, continuous improvements	Very good	Very good

Important facts about Google’s frontend framework

Programming languages used: Angular mainly uses TypeScript, but also allows the use of plain JavaScript and other transpiled languages to a certain extent.
Use of Angular for mobile applications: Angular supports the development of progressive web apps (PWAs) and can also be used in combination with frameworks such as Ionic for mobile app development.
Cost of Angular: Angular is an open source framework and can be used free of charge.
Angular services: Services in Angular are classes that encapsulate specific tasks and logic and can be used by multiple components within the application. In contrast to components, they keep data consistent even when switching pages. They separate the display logic from the business logic, regulate the retrieval and storage of data via the server’s APIs and increase modularity and reusability.

Examples of single-page applications

Checkout systems: E-commerce websites use Angular to implement seamless and fast checkout processes.
Configurators: Applications for product configuration, such as for car purchases or customized furniture.
Dashboards: Interactive and dynamic dashboards for data visualization and analysis.
Management software: Complex management applications for companies that require a high level of interactivity and fast data updating.
Content management systems (CMS): Systems that allow users to create and edit content in real time.

Companies that use Angular successfully

Google: Uses Angular for many internal projects as well as for public applications such as Google Ads.
Microsoft: Uses Angular for various projects, including the management tools for Office 365.
Forbes: Forbes‘ website uses Angular to provide a fast and responsive user experience.
Upwork: The freelancer platform uses Angular for its user interface.
Delta Airlines: Uses Angular to develop their customer and booking portals.

Summary

Overview of Angular

Developer: Google and community

First release: 2010 (as AngularJS)

Programming languages: TypeScript

Area of application: Front-end development of single-page web applications
More information here

Angular is a powerful and versatile frontend framework that is essential for the development of modern web applications. It offers numerous advantages such as support for TypeScript, a modular structure and built-in test functions. With its comprehensive documentation and large community, Angular is a good choice for developers who want to create robust and scalable web applications.
Angular uses basic web technologies such as HTML and CSS for the design and layout of the user interface. By enabling developers to create structured and stylized user interfaces, the framework ensures that applications are not only functional, but also appealing and user-friendly.