What is Angular?
Angular is an open-source development platform and framework, built on TypeScript.
It is primarily used for building single page, web applications and is supported and maintained by Google.
Inclusive within the platform:
- A module-based framework for building single page web applications that are scalable
- A comprehensive collection of integrated libraries that offer a wide range of features including forms management, client-server comms and routing plus more
- A sophisticated suite of developer tools that allows the creation, test, rollout and on-going updates to the code
A key benefit of Angular is that the platform has been built to allow developers to create individual level applications to enterprise-grade applications. As is stands, the Angular ecosystem boasts over 1.6 million diverse developers as well as content creators and library authors. As of 2021, it was the fourth most used front-end web framework according to the Stack Overflow Survey 2021*.
To use Angular successfully, developers need to have experience in CSS, HTML and JavaScript as well as TypeScript and CLI (Command Line Interface).
Modules/Components
The modules also known as components, are the foundational building blocks for successfully developing applications in Angular. By using individual component architecture, Angular provides structure for organising projects into manageable, organised parts with clear articulation of responsibilities so that any code built within it, is both scalable and maintainable.
Why is it used?
Enterprise-scale Applications
Angular is a favored option for building large software applications that are central to an organisations operations. The features of the framework like the modular reusability, easy testing, flexibility and progressive refactoring make it a popular choice for developing Enterprise-scale Applications.
Single-Page Applications (SPA)
Angular is ideal for building single-page applications due to the easy data management and routing procedures it enables. Many businesses believe single-page applications provide a better user experience than multi-page websites.
Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
Progressive applications are built to use proxies and cache that allows users a seamless application experience through it's use of network interception. Another benefit of PWAs is that these applications are able to run even when disconnected from the internet.
Interfaces with Animations
Angular offers the ability to develop appealing and interactive UI/UX thus, providing a positive user experience through it's easy to use modules. This can help build strong brand identity and increase customer retention.
Server-side Rendered Applications
Angular provides developers with the ability to create applications quickly and with an appealing user experience. This means it has become a top choice for building server-side rendering applications. SSR applications are much better place to overcome the issues of SEO-optimised webpages unlike single-page applications.
Mobile Applications
Angular is favored not only for website application development but also for mobile application development. Cross-platform applications can be developed using the Angular framework and these applications have the ability to run on multiple platforms such as web, mobile, or desktop. Angular with Nativescript is used for android app development, whereas Angular with ionic for iOS app development.