Angular vs AngularJS: 15 key differences to know

Posted on  

January 8, 2023

Published by: Codemonk
Angular vs AngularJS

Do you frequently mix up Angular and AngularJS?

It's alright! Even seasoned developers occasionally struggle to distinguish between the two. This guide provides a clear understanding of the differences between the two programming languages. 

What is Angular?

It is a well-liked Typescript framework that is open-source and used to create web applications. The performance of Angular is renowned for being useful, quick, and fluid. It is usually denoted as Angular 2+ or Angular v2.

In angular framework command line interface and modular architecture make it the best choice for creating single-page HTML and Typescript applications.  With this framework, programmers can incorporate ECMAScript 6 features into their applications by using Typescript libraries that offer both core and optional functionality.

The fundamental pieces of the Angular framework—components and directives—combine to form an Ng-module. They allow for the creation of a well-designed collection of interconnected codes.

Angular framework features

One of the most potent frameworks out there is Angular, a JavaScript web framework with a ton of useful features. It creates futuristic and high-performance applications using these essential features.  Also, Angular developer contributes to giving a highly interactive user experience with framework’s amazing features.

Uses TypeScript language

Angular uses TypeScript, a statically typed language with early definitions of variable types that generates significantly fewer compilation errors, in place of JavaScript. A further benefit of TypeScript is that JavaScript codes can be used with it, which makes learning it very simple.

Seamlessly Cross-platform

Using Angular, you can create robust user interfaces for desktop, native mobile, and web applications.  Consequently, it is cross-platform and very flexible. The Angular framework also allows you to create Mac, Windows, and Linux desktop applications.

Unit Testing Support

Unit testing can be done with Angular reasonably easily to make sure your code has as few bugs as possible. The Karma test runner is streamlined and used for quick and simple application debugging.

Angular Command Line Interface

The use of Angular CLI can hasten the development process. In angular framework native CLI can be used to add components and services quickly in addition to setting up the project.

What is AngularJS?

A popular open-source JavaScript-based application framework called AngularJS is managed by Google. It turns static HTML into dynamic HTML using HTML as a template language. Utilizing this framework is straightforward, dynamic, and communicative.
To improve the accessibility of the application development and testing processes, Misko Heavery created AngularJS in 2009.  AngularJS programming yields the software for Model View Controller (MVC) and Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM).
AngularJS is the first-ever version of Angular, which means that 1. XX versions of Angular are simply AngularJS, while version 2 and successive versions are known as Angular.

AngularJS framework features

Let's now discuss AngularJS features that contribute to quick development and improved application performance.  

Creation of Reusable Components

AngularJS components can be reused numerous times within an application.  To create these reusable components, you will need to use directives. Each component expresses a particular functionality.

Uses Plain JavaScript

The models in AngularJS are plain JS objects because, in contrast to Angular, AngularJS uses plain JavaScript rather than TypeScript. Because of this, writing code with AngularJS is simpler, and it's also easier to test and maintain the code.

Routing

Routing makes it simple to switch between various views of programs that help users easily navigate between the various pages of a website. Users of AngularJS can create unique URLs for various types of content using routes.

Difference between Angular and AngularJS

Now that we are familiar with the basics of Angular and AngularJS, as well as some of their features, let's discuss their differences.
Below is a table we've created to help you understand the distinction:

Key Difference Angular AngularJS
Developer and maintenance Angular framework was created by Misko Hevery and is maintained by the Angular Team at Google Google developed AngularJS in 2010.
Language Microsoft TypeScript is the programming language used by Angular. JavaScript is the programming language used to create AngularJS code.
Architecture Angular development uses components and directives. The Model-View-Controller (MVC) is used in AngularJS.
Expression syntax In Angular, ( ) and [ ] attributes are used for two-way binding between view and model. {{ }} expressions are used for two-way binding between view and model in AngularJS, and ng-bind can also be used for binding.
Routing @RouteConfiguration {(…)} is used to define routing information in Angular. @routeProvider.when ( ), is used for configuration and routing information in AngularJS.
Mobile support Angular can be used to develop mobile support applications. AngularJS cannot develop mobile-friendly applications.
Cross-platform Angular can be used to build applications and web pages across multiple platforms, like mobile, web, and more. AngularJS can only be used to develop web apps.
Dependency injection Dependency injection is implemented hierarchically in Angular. AngularJS does not use any dependency injection system.
Management Good structure can be found in Angular, and it is also easy to create and manage large Angular applications. Tough to manage an AngularJS project due to the source code size.
Difficulty level Learning and using Angular for front-end development is quite hard. To build a For a full-fledged application, you will need a good knowledge of the framework. Compared to Angular, learning AngularJS is relatively more straightforward.
Animation Package In Angular, you need to download a separate package for animation. The animation code was usually included in AngularJS.
Command Line Interface (CLI) The Angular framework has an AngularCLI tool that lets the users build and manage components and other project files from the command line. The AngularJS framework does not come with any in-built CLI tools.
Performance and speed Angular applications usually have high performance and work seamlessly. Angular's data binding feature allows real-time page content updates, making the application robust. AngularJS applications also offer robust and dynamic performance due to the two-way binding feature. Yet, the overall performance of AngularJS applications is not up to par with modern applications.
SEO support Angular includes every element needed to make web applications easily crawlable by search engines. Applications built with AngularJS do not offer practical ways to make them SEO-friendly.
Change detection Angular does not require the scope. $apply() as it operates in the Angular Zone. It is always aware when a piece of code stops working. AngularJS uses the scope. $apply() to make manual or automatic changes to data bindings after the event.

Now that we know the critical differences between Angular and AngularJS, let us see their advantages and disadvantages!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Angular

Advantages of Angular

  • TypeScript, which is a syntax based on OOPS, is supported by the latest version of Angular.
  • Angular has a mobile support framework.  
  • It supports the adaptations for an enhanced hierarchical dependencies system and modularity.  
  • With Angular, you can use Dart, the type-checking syntax, TypeScript, Angular CLI, ES5, lambdas, iterators, and ES6.
  • The semantic versioning followed by Angular, which contains a major-minor-patch arrangement.
  • Angular provides the event of most uncomplicated routing.
  • With an effective set of tools, the Angular developer can work efficiently and in less time.

Disadvantages of Angular

  • The Angular 2 versions are more complex than AngularJS for event setup.  
  • A simple validation form is not a good candidate for Angular.
  • Angular does not support all the features of recent browser versions, so it cannot be used to direct a wide range of browsers.
  • As Angular uses TypeScript, a strongly typed language, it is complicated to learn it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AngularJS

Advantages of AngularJS

  • Its excellent MVC (Model-View-Controller) data binding makes AngularJS applications highly dynamic.
  • In AngularJS, change detection and developers can do unit testing anytime.  
  • To make them more intuitive, HTML features such as declarative template languages can be used.
  • Front-end development is well-structured without the need for additional platforms or plugins.
  • AngularJS applications can be run on both iOS and Android devices.

Disadvantages of AngularJS

  • The multiple ways in which AngularJS performs the same task make it extensive and highly complex.  
  • There is something rough and poor about AngularJS's implementation.
  • Users get to see an elementary page when JavaScript is disabled on an AngularJS application.
  • As more than 250 apps are being used simultaneously in AngularJS, the UI cracks up.

Angular vs AngularJS - Last Words

We can see that both frameworks have merits and distinctions of their own after contrasting them. However, Angular has reaped far more rewards and, thanks to its powerful features, has surpassed other technologies. For instance, Angular's dynamic web and single-page applications are also compatible with mobile devices, making them more practical than AngularJS. 

The Angular framework allows for the creation of expansive, intricate applications across various platforms.   The Google development team is working incredibly hard to define the performance of Angular applications while reducing their size.

While for smaller, simpler projects, AngularJS can be quick and easy to use. However, developers almost always begin with Angular when creating complex, scalable applications. 

As an Angular JS developer, you can find remote work opportunities worldwide with Notchup. Sign-up to our platform now to view the Angular JS related opportunities that are currently available.

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FAQS

Frequently asked questions

Between Angular and AngularJS, which one is better?

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Angular has a lot of important updates and changes because it is the updated version of AngularJS. Additionally, Angular is quicker and provides more features, including support for mobile devices, cross-platform development, SEO tools, and many more. 

What are the uses of AngularJS?

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Applications for the weather, eCommerce, travel, user reviews, video streaming, social media, and user-generated content can all be created using AngularJS.

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Is the Angular framework outdated?
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In December 2021, Google stopped supporting AngularJS, but updates for improved security and functionality will still be released for Angular. The AngularJS framework can be considered outdated, but Angular will continue to compete with modern web frameworks.

What are the apps built using Angular?
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The Guardian, PayPal, Upwork, Freelancer, LinkedIn, Netflix, and Weather.com are some of the most popular applications built with Angular.

Partners in success
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