In the ever-evolving world of technologies and frameworks, there are tons of them used for backend and frontend development. As a result, there has to be one framework that lists at the top and becomes most preferred. This blog discusses AngularJS and Angular, two of the most popular JavaScript frameworks. AngularJS and Angular are used to create single-page applications, but they differ from each other.
In this blog, we examine the battle between AngularJS and Angular to understand their core differences and how to leverage them for scalable web application solutions.
What is AngularJS?
Created by Google in 2010, AngularJS is a JavaScript-based front-end framework that is used to create dynamic single-page applications (SPAs) by allowing developers to extend HTML’s capabilities. AngularJS for businesses enables developers to create more responsive and interactive UIs without needing to reload the page by leveraging its features like two-way data binding which keeps the data model and the user interface in sync.
If we talk about architecture, it uses an MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture that makes it easier to separate the concerns in developing web applications. Even though it was once popular gradually it was taken over by Angular (the latest version). Its ability to simplify common development tasks like DOM manipulation, form validation, and routing made it a go-to choice for developers at the time.
Features of AngularJS
The key concepts of AngularJS are two-way data binding, directives, dependency injection, and MVC which we will be looking in detail below.
1. Two-way Data Binding
One of the main features of AngularJS is two-way data binding in which the changes or updates in data models (JavaScript) objects reflect in the user interface (UI) in real-time. It reduces the manual effort of developers as they do not have to manually manipulate the DOM or write code for model synchronization. It saves time as development gets faster and reduces the likelihood of errors, especially in applications where the user interacts with the UI in real-time.
How does Two-way data binding work?
With two-way binding, when the data in the model changes, the view updates, and when the user interacts with the view (like entering text into a form), the model updates in real time.
2. MVC Architecture
As stated above, AngularJS is built on MVC architecture that stands for Model-View-Controller which enables to separating of the application logic into three interconnected components:
- Model: Manages the data and business logic of the application.
- View: Represents the user interface, responsible for displaying data and capturing user inputs.
- Controller: Acts as the bridge between the model and view. It processes inputs from the view and updates the model as needed.
By using MVC, developers can easily separate the web development complex concerns by keeping different parts separate from other ones. For example, if a web developer is working on UI (view) won’t affect the business logic (model), making development, testing, and maintenance easier.
3. Dependency Injection
Another key feature of AngularJS is dependency injection which is also called DI. In this feature, a design pattern is used to improve the modularity and maintainability of the application. This front-end framework has a built-in DI framework that makes it easier to manage and inject services, factories, and controllers into the different parts of the web application development.
How Dependency Injection Works?
AngularJS automatically detects during development which services or dependencies are required in or by a particular component and injects them without having the developer do it manually. It saves time, helps in writing cleaner and modular code, and also simplifies the testing process as mock dependencies can be injected into components during testing.
Pros and Cons of AngularJS
Even though AngularJS has been replaced by Angular (its latest version) it is still being used in legacy systems. With its differentiating and key features, there come some downsides too. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of AngularJS.
| Pros of AngularJS | Cons of AngularJS |
|---|---|
| Automatically syncs data between the model and the view, saving time on manual DOM manipulation. | It has performance issues as it is slower with large applications due to its two-way binding and digest cycles. |
| Helps organize code, making it easier to manage complex applications with its MVC architecture. | Originally not designed with mobile in mind, making it less suitable for mobile-first apps. |
| Allows you to create reusable components, making the code more modular and maintainable. | It can be challenging for beginners, especially when it comes to understanding directives and two-way data binding. |
| Uses HTML templates, making it intuitive to bind data to the view without writing extra code. | Lacks modern JavaScript features and improvements introduced in frameworks like Angular (version 2+). |
| Built-in support for routing, making single-page applications (SPAs) easier to manage and navigate. |
What is Angular?
Unlike AngularJS, Angular is a front-end framework developed on TypeScript to develop dynamic, interactive, and robust web applications. In 2016, Google released Angular for public use and that version was called Angular 2. At this point in time, the updated version of Angular is called Angular 17.
The major difference between Angular and AngularJS is that the former is built on TypeScript whereas the latter is built on JavaScript which leads to major differences in development and performance.
When Angular (new version) was released, the first thought was to name it Angular 2, but it would have been confusing for the users. So, based on major differences, they named the older version ‘AngularJS’.
Angular is used for bigger projects as TypeScript can handle complex and large-scale projects. Therefore, if you are looking to develop modern, dynamic, and high-performance web solutions then Angular is your best call.
Many developers tend to incline toward other frameworks like React vs Angular, but the topic choice is always Angular for its top-class features.
Features of Angular
The top features of Angular include its robust data binding, seamless mobile application development, Angular CLI, unit support testing, and many others. Below is a brief description of the key features of the Angular front-end framework.
1. Cross Platform
Angular provides seamless integration with other frameworks like Iconic and NativeScript which allow developers to use a single codebase written in Angular to create applications that can run on multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, and the web (hence cross-platform). By leveraging a shared component and consistent architecture, app consistency can be maintained in different environments. This feature facilitates developers to simultaneously work on mobile and web applications along with delivering them.
When decision-makers look for Angular development services, they ensure that cross-platform compatibility is ensured which is why Angular always becomes the top choice.
2. Data Binding
Another top feature that makes it win AngularJS vs Angular battle is Data Binding which synchronizes the view and the model automatically. To simplify, the changes made in the user interface are instantly displayed in the application’s data mode without any need for manual DOM implementation. Therefore, it helps in saving time and provides real-time updates between the UI and underlying data.
3. Angular CLI
Angular comes with an in-built Angular CLI i.e. Command Line Interface which is a powerful tool that enables Angular development to simplify by the automation of common tasks. Moreover, it allows developers to create, build, and maintain Angular web applications with commands for generating components, services, modules, and much more.
Developers prefer Angular for this feature as they can quickly set up projects, add dependencies, and configure testing environments. Hence, it is a time-saving tool that enhances productivity and scalability.
4. Unit Testing Support
With the integration of testing frameworks like Karma and Jasmine in Angular, quality assurance testing process becomes smooth. By leveraging these tools, it gets easy to run testing processes through individual components, services, and modules so that there are no bugs, and it performs smoothly. With the Angular CLI, developers can quickly set up test environments and run automated tests, identifying issues early in the development process.
5. Integration Capabilities
One of the distinguishing features of AngularJS vs Angular is that it is highly flexible when it comes to integration with third-party libraries, tools, and APIs. Developers can easily extend the functionalities in the web app solution; whether by adding authentication systems, analytics, or integrating with backend systems. Its modular design and dependency injection makes it easy to manage and scale, supporting seamless integration in complex applications.
Create a Scalable Angular Web App Today
Pros and Cons of Angular
For front-end web development, Angular is one of the top choices among developers. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of angular so that you can make a balanced decision.
| Pros of Angular | Cons of Angular |
|---|---|
| It has a strong component-based architecture that breaks apps into reusable components for easier maintenance. | With its steep learning curve, especially for beginners or those new to typescript and Angular complex concepts. |
| Its two-way data binding feature keeps the view and model in sync, simplifying data handling. | Angular can be overkill for smaller apps, therefore, it can lead to slower performance in some cases. |
| It offers built-in routing, HTTP services, and form validation, making development faster. | With frequent updates, it can be hard to keep up with Angular frequent updates and major version changes. |
| It offers type safety, better debugging, and a smoother development process. | Developers must adapt to typescript, which may be challenging if they only know JavaScript. |
| This community and support are strong, and it has backing from Google. It is widely adopted and offers extensive resources. | The syntax can feel overly verbose, with lots of boilerplate code needed to achieve common tasks. |
AngularJS vs Angular: Key Differences
After the above-mentioned detailed discussion of the differences between AngularJS and Angular, let’s take a look at the key differences in a table.
| Aspect | AngularJS | Angular |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2010 | 2016 |
| Architecture | Based on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework | Component-based architecture |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Data Binding | Two-way data binding | Two-way data binding with an option for one-way |
| Mobile Support | Limited or none | Designed for mobile and desktop applications |
| Performance | Slower due to two-way data binding and watchers | Faster with improved change detection and AOT (Ahead-of-Time) compilation |
| Dependency Injection | Lacks a built-in dependency injection system | Has a hierarchical dependency injection system |
| Directives | Directives are predefined | Directives are component-based, making them reusable |
| Learning Curve | Easier for developers already familiar with JavaScript | Steeper due to TypeScript and new concepts like RxJS |
| Routing | Basic routing capabilities | Advanced routing with lazy loading for better performance |
| Community Support | Still active, but shrinking | Large and continuously growing |
In a nutshell of Angular JS vs Angular battle, AngularJS is a slightly older version of Angular. AngularJS is suitable for building simple web apps and is easier to use for those who have JavaScript knowledge. On the other hand, Angular is the latest version that is best for developing modern and scalable web application solutions with complex functions and features.
Conclusion
AngularJS vs Angular can become a long debate when it comes to front-end web development. However, if you are looking for small-scale projects with limited functionalities, AngularJS would be the right framework for you.
In case you have large-scale projects that demand complex functionalities, features, modern UI, robust performance, and seamless integrations then nothing could be better than Angular.
Hire Angular Developer From Devace Technologies
Frontend development of any web application plays a huge role in it. For that, you need skilled web developers who not only understand technicalities but also have hands-on experience in various technologies related to Angular. At Devace Technologies, we provide skilled Angular developers for hire to build scalable web applications that give unparalleled user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AngularJS use for?
AngularJS is use to build dynamic, single-page web applications (SPAs). It allows developers to extend HTML syntax and bind data efficiently between the user interface and underlying data model, simplifying the development of interactive web apps.
Do big companies use Angular or AngularJS?
Big companies tend to use Angular (the newer version) over AngularJS due to better performance, modern features, and ongoing support. However, some legacy projects still run on AngularJS.
Why use AngularJS Framework for your project?
AngularJS is great for smaller projects that require rapid development, thanks to its simplicity and two-way data binding. It works well for creating single-page applications where quick, dynamic updates to the user interface are essential.
Why use Angular Framework for your project?
Angular is ideal for larger, scalable applications due to its modular architecture, better performance, and support for modern development practices like TypeScript. It’s suited for teams that need a robust framework with long-term support and easy testing.
What is the latest version of Angular?
The latest stable version of Angular is Angular 16, released in 2024, which continues to improve performance, features, and developer experience with regular updates.
What is better in AngularJS vs Angular?
Angular is considered better than AngularJS due to its faster performance, improved features, and modern design. Angular also receives regular updates and has a larger community supporting it.
Is AngularJS the same as Angular?
No, AngularJS and Angular are different frameworks. AngularJS refers to the original version, while Angular (version 2+) is a complete rewrite with modern features, offering better performance and scalability.
Is AngularJS a framework or not?
Yes, AngularJS is a JavaScript framework therefore the JS at the end of it. It helps developers create dynamic web applications by extending HTML capabilities and offering powerful tools like two-way data binding and dependency injection.
