Why is AngularJS Web Development Still Relevant in 2024?

Among myriads of web development frameworks, AngularJS remains a preferred choice for many developers and organizations who want to build robust and vibrant applications. Wonder why? In our article, we will explore the reasons and advantages of using AngularJS web development services. But before we start, let’s briefly overview this framework.

What is AngularJS?

AngularJS is an open-source front-end JavaScript framework developed and released by Google in 2010. At the time, the demand for interactive and responsive web applications grew while traditional methods of web development became less efficient. AngularJS addressed these issues by allowing developers to extend the HTML syntax and to create dynamic, single-page applications. It’s also great for making interactive websites and apps, especially when time is a key factor in the development process. Therefore, the framework quickly became a popular choice among website owners.

Aside from being used to develop many Google services (Gmail, for instance), other notable examples of websites built using AngularJS include:

• The Guardian
• PayPal
• Netflix
• Forbes
• iStock
• Lego

Key features of AngularJS

As you might guess, AngularJS owes its success to its robust functionality. Let’s examine its core features more closely.

MVC architecture

The MVC architecture in AngularJS is a widely used design pattern that helps organize and structure code in web applications. It divides the application into three linked components:

◘𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 represents the application’s data and logic by using primitive types like strings, objects, and booleans.

◘𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰 is the presentation layer component that displays data to the user.

◘𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 manages the interaction between the model and the view. It processes user input, manipulates the model, and executes corresponding operations.

This pattern is particularly good for dynamic modeling and development of web applications. Hence, AngularJS speeds up development and helps developers manage and organize code better, resulting in more maintainable and scalable applications.

Two-way data binding

One of the most praised features of AngularJS is its two-way data binding. This feature synchronizes the model and the view in MVC, ensuring that any changes in the user interface instantly update the objects of the web application. And it works both ways. This reduces the amount of boilerplate code and streamlines the development process.

Dependency injection

AngularJS implements dependency injection, a software design pattern that promotes code reusability and modularity. This feature allows application components to be injected with their dependencies, reducing the coupling between different parts of the code and facilitating easier testing and maintenance.

Directives

Directives in AngularJS are powerful features that extend HTML capabilities. They allow developers to create custom HTML tags and attributes, enhancing the functionality and interactivity of web applications. Common directives include ng-bind, ng-model, and ng-repeat, among others. Developers can also define various templates and utilize a declarative language supported by AngularJS to simplify the binding of UI components to data models.

Is AngularJS still relevant in 2024?

While the answer to this question is a definite ‘yes,’ there are some things to consider. Firstly, official support for AngularJS ended in 2021. Instead, we now have Angular — a completely rewritten, improved version of the framework based on TypeScript. However, many existing applications and projects still rely on AngularJS, forming a substantial codebase dependent on this framework.

These applications require stability and continued support, which AngularJS provides. Migrating to a newer framework can be time-consuming and costly, so many organizations choose to continue using AngularJS for its reliability and established codebase. Therefore, developers proficient in AngularJS can play a crucial role in maintaining and advancing these projects, ensuring the continued relevance of AngularJS in 2024 and beyond.

If you’re unsure about using AngularJS for your website development or are considering moving your codebase to Angular or another preferred framework, you can get help from a trusted IT vendor, such as SoftTeco. SoftTeco provides AngularJS consulting services to help you find opportunities, solve problems, or give guidance. We also offer AngularJS web development services to support, optimize, or migrate legacy software to keep up with changing industry standards.

The reasons to choose AngularJS for web app development

Let’s consider some of the advantages of using AngularJS web development services.

Mature ecosystem

Over the years, AngularJS has developed a mature ecosystem with a plethora of plugins, extensions, and tools. This ecosystem provides developers with the resources they need to build robust applications quickly and efficiently.

Large community

It’s no secret that AngularJS has a large and vibrant community of developers. This community contributes to a rich repository of tutorials, documentation, and third-party tools, making it easier for new developers to learn and for experienced developers to find solutions to complex problems.

Performance and efficiency

AngularJS comes equipped with built-in optimizations that contribute to its high performance. For instance, its ability to handle caching, minification, and compression of JavaScript and CSS files allows for faster loading times and reduced network latency.

Cross-platform compatibility

AngularJS is renowned for its ability to facilitate the development of cross-platform web applications. AngularJS empowers developers to create responsive and adaptive applications for various devices and screen sizes, whether it’s a desktop, mobile, or tablet. This cross-platform compatibility not only enhances user experience but also reduces the time and effort required to develop separate versions for different platforms.

Code reusability

One of the key advantages of AngularJS is its emphasis on modular design and code reusability. By breaking down the application into reusable components, developers can significantly reduce duplication of code and improve maintainability. Yet again, imagine how much time it saves for the developers. This modular approach also facilitates collaboration among development teams, as individual components can be developed, tested, and reused across different parts of the application.

Efficient testing

AngularJS was designed with testing in mind. The framework has built-in tools and features that simplify the process of writing and executing tests, leading to faster development cycles and higher code quality. Besides, AngularJS seamlessly integrates with testing frameworks, enabling developers to write unit and end-to-end tests.

Final thoughts

Almost every organization maintains its own website, which is essential for successful operation in today’s digital world. Despite the shift towards Angular, AngularJS retains its significance in web development. Many enterprise applications built with AngularJS continue to thrive, and some developers opt for AngularJS for specific projects. While newer frameworks continue to emerge, AngularJS’s unique advantages and proven track record make it a valuable tool in the ever-evolving landscape of web development.