From Angular 1 To Angular 2.0: Need for Upgrade?

Angular 2 is one of the most popular platforms which is a successor to Google Angular 1 framework. With its help, Angular JS developers can build complex applications in browsers and beyond. First announced in October 2014, the final version of Angular 2 was released in September 2016.

With the release of this new platform, one question pops up in mind, "Is it worth to upgrading to Angular 2 or will Angular 1 remain sufficient to progress alongside other notable frameworks and libraries like React? We will try to find an answer to this question in this blog.

1. Optimized for Mobile

Let us start with the homepage of Angular 2 it says, "One framework. Mobile and desktop." It's as clear of an indication as any that Angular 2 is going to serve as a mobile-first framework in order to encourage the mobile app development process.

Angular 2 has been carefully optimized for boasting improved memory efficiency, enhanced mobile performance, and fewer CPU cycles. This version also supports sophisticated touch and gesture events across modern tablet and mobile devices.

A recent benchmark study from Meteor revealed that the latest version of Angular is faster than Blaze and React. Additionally, Angular 2 will support native desktop apps for Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems.

2. TypeScript Support

Here's a huge perk: the latest version of Angular fully embraces Typescript. For those unfamiliar with this term, TypeScript Lang builds on top of what you already know about JavaScript but incorporates many additional tools to your ability to refactor code, write in modern JS (ECMAScript 2015), and compile to the older versions depending on browser request.

Another important facet is IDE integration is that it makes easier to scale large projects through refactoring your whole code base at the same time. Its inbuilt code completion tool effectively saves your precious time from having to look up various features from the libraries you use individually.

Developers utilizing Angular 2 can enjoy the TypeScript functionality and all of its affiliated libraries, making it quite simple to integrate database interfaces like MongoDB via support of TypeScript.

3. Modular Development

Angular 1 created a fair share of headaches when it came to loading modules or deciding between Require.js or WebPack. Fortunately, these decisions are removed entirely from Angular 2 as the new release shies away from ineffective modules to make room for performance improvements. Angular 2 also integrates System.js, a universal dynamic modular loader.

$scope Out, Components In

Angular 2 gets rid of controllers and $scope. Angular 2 introduces Components as an easier way to build complex web apps and pages.

Angular 2 utilizes directives (DOMs) and components (templates). Components are highly functional and customizable directives that can be configured to build and specify classes, selectors, and views for companion templates.

4. Native Mobile Development

The best part about Angular 2 is "it's more framework-oriented". This means the code you write for mobile/tablet devices will need to be converted using a framework like Ionic or NativeScript.

This might seem contradictory if performance is your main concern, but Angular 2 really shines in the code structure department. One single skillset and code base can be used to scale and build large architectures of code.

5. Code Syntax Changes

One more notable feature of Angular 2 is that it adds more than a few bells and whistles to the syntax usage. This comprises improving data-binding with properties inputs, changing the way routing works, changing an appearance of directives syntax, and improving the way local variables are being used.

Conclusion

Many Angular JS development companies and communities have shifted from discussing the first version to exclusively serving as independent Angular 2 communities. It is clearly not too late to start catching up with the latest version Angular 2.