What is the Difference Between Angular and AngularJS?

Angular and AngularJS are both web application developer languages. While Angular is based on Typescript as an alternative, AngularJS is often used to develop web-based dynamic applications. Angular is the upgraded version that is frequently used today. A few of its key attributes include ease of use, having an advanced modular construct, and quick speed compared to AngularJS.

On the other hand, AngularJS is based on Javascript and is utilized as the standard developer for all the v1.x subtypes of Angular. This mode was first created in 2009 and is popularly known as Angular 1. It is an open-source app development framework that can change static bases of HTML to dynamic versions of HTML. It also has various directors and filters packed along with it. The latest and upgraded Angular version is Angular 9, and the current stable version of AngularJS is 1.7.7.

Evolution off Angular Versions

In 2010, Google released Angular 1 or AngularJS. It attracted a lot of popularity and support immediately since it was very helpful in turning static HTML pages into interactive interfaces. 

This highlighted the limitations of the earlier developed AngularJS framework. Due to intense competition from VueJD and ReactJS, Google opted to completely rewrite Angular 1 into Angular 2 by replacing javascript with TypeScript as the new programming language. Google’s move to replace JavaScript with TypeScript was made to avoid the pitfalls that could have felled the framework due to its reliance on JavaScript. Google also wanted to introduce a minor amount of typing in the static style, which many contemporary web developers were looking for. 

After Angular 2, they designed Angular 4, 5, 6 and 7. Angular 4 became the most popular of these versions thanks to its preference and backward compatibility.

Angular vs AngularJS: Differences 

The main distinction between AngularJS vs Angular is that AngularJS is based on JavaScript, and Angular is based on TypeScript. These frameworks have various commonalities as both are open source, front-end, and platform-accessible pathways used to create dynamic SPAs. However, they do have differences that affect their utility.

1. Componential differences of Angular and AngularJS

What do we mean when we say that one framework is based on JavaScript while the other is based on TypeScript? 

Here are the two main differences:

• Angular uses an ES6 Typescript superset which has backward compatibility vis-a-vis ES5. On the other hand, AngularJS — based on JavaScript — relies on various scopes and controllers. 
• Angular uses a levelled-up hierarchy of components, whereas AngularJS relies on directives.

2. How is the use of directives different between Angular and AngularJS? 

Both AngularJS and Angular use directives, but in different ways. Angular has more standard directives. On the other hand, AngularJS contains a pack of them. So users have to be careful while using the directives. For example, when one wants to build a dual binding in AngularJS, they’ll have to rely on the ng-model. Contrarily, ng-bing is used for a one-way binding.

In Typescript Angular, one will only find the model. The symbol used for one-way binding is: “[]”, and for two-way binding, we can use the characters: “[()]” and “[]” for property binding. We can use “()” for event binding purposes.

Architectural Structure of AngularJS vis-a-vis Angular

1. Angular JS

The framework of AngularJS has an MVC or a model-view-controller that works as the main component by managing logic, data, rules, and the behaviour of the applications. The breakdown of MVC is: 

• Model: the place which collects all the stored data
• View: The output on the information in the reviewed model
• Controller: The part that receives the input, converts them into commands, and sends this processed info to the model and the view.

2. Angular

When it comes to Angular, it uses directives with templates in the form of components. There are two main kinds of directives in using Angular:

• Structural directives: they alter the entire layout of the DOM’s by replacing the internal elements.
• Attributive directives: these change the behavior of the DOM and also the appearance of the elements.

The difference in Mobile support: AngularJS vs Angular

While AngularJS fails to provide mobile support, Angular supports mobile applications.

1. Speed and Performance

 AngularJS has a two-way binding feature that ultimately decreases the time and effort required for construction. Angular has a framework that is upgraded to an improved structure, providing better speed and performance.

2. Tool support

• Angular uses the CLI or the Command Line Interface, which reduces the time while creating the applications.
• AngularJS, on the other hand, is a framework that relies on third-party tools like WebStorm, IDE, etc.

The advantages of Angular over AngularJS 

The advantages of angular over angular JS are mentioned below-

1. Dynamic loading

Angular has a combination of several asynchronous templates and additional programming support.

2. Modularity

Angular’s main functionality has moved to various modules that run on a faster and lighter core.

3. Ahead-of-Time or AOT

This kind of compilation helps convert the Typescript and HTML into JavaScript in between the build time process. AOT mainly compiles all the codes, and the browser loads along with the compiled code for quicker q rendering.

4. CLI

Angular had CLI or Command Line Interface, which helps it to serve and create smoother applications. It also engages in project building and provides a more accessible interface for testing.

5. Architecture

The architecture of Angular helps in dividing the logical and functional components from each other.

6. The dependency injection factor

The best part is that Angular is based on one-way change detection. Instead of using directives similar to AngularJS, Angular uses a hierarchical dependency injection that boosts the framework’s performance considerably.

7. Language

Angular is primarily written in TypeScript, but it also has another language choice out of Dart, ES5, ES6. These are also used for developing codes.

8. Routing

The pathway used by the Angular framework is quite simple and user-friendly. It can interpret a URL as a directive and even navigate further into a client-view interface.

Advantages of AngularJS over Angular

MVC

• AngularJS’s Model View Controller speeds up application development through data binding.
• It uses a two-way data binding process and POJO Models, which offers a conclusive interface, enabling users to use fewer codes in the projects.
• AngularJS also has a continuously updated and automated unit testing feature. 
• AngularJS also provides a very comprehensive solution for all front-end developments. This is because AngularJS doesn’t depend on any additional plugins or other frameworks.
• The use of HTML as AngularJS’s declarative language makes it quite intuitive to use.
• The AngularJS framework has reusable components.
• Simpler architecture and smoother functionality concerning mobile and web app development make AngularJS a fantastic framework.

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Conclusion

Despite the differences in usability, compatibility & speed, both AngularJS and Angular have their respective benefits. Google has maintained both frameworks in a way that has allowed both to continue to have popular community support. Many users still prefer Angular due to its dynamic ability to create mobile and web applications and its single-page feature of HTML and TypeScript. Essentially, it depends on what the developer needs the applications for.

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