Difference Between Angular and AngularJS – A Comparative Analysis

Angular and AngularJS sound like two similar frameworks of merely different eras. Therefore the difference between Angular and AngularJS might not be much. While they both serve a similar purpose of making web development easier for developers, there are some major differences between them that set both frameworks apart in the world of web applications. 

Even though Google made both frameworks, the structure of data processing is different between both tools, while Angular has to generate HTML for the internet to process, AngularJS doesn’t do that. However, this is not the only difference between the two frameworks. We shall be exploring other differences and getting a comprehensive knowledge of both.

What is Angular?

Angular is a framework made by Microsoft. It is used to build software applications on the web using typescript and HTML without a single cost. Despite being a JS-based framework, TypeScript is its main programming language. The main purpose of Angular is to create fully working online applications. Angular is an excellent choice for building robust web apps with contemporary design.

Since Angular is modular in design, you can break up the entire application into smaller units (referred to as modules) that each represent a specific functionality. As long as you stick with the MVC architecture, Angular makes it simple to create high-performance web apps and provides two-way data binding. You can take an Angular course to get a better understanding of the difference between Angular and AngularJS.

What is AngularJS?

AngularJS, sometimes referred to as Angular 1, is the parent of all 1. XX versions. AngularJS is an open-source JavaScript framework for front-end web development. The goal of AngularJS is basically to make it easier to create single-page applications. The fact that AngularJS is the first version of Angular is among many of its remarkable characteristics. In 2010, Google unveiled AngularJS, a JavaScript-based framework. Unlike Angular 2 and later versions, the key characteristic that sets Angular and AngularJS apart is that AngularJS does not employ TypeScript.

Difference Between Angular and AngularJS

Given that Angular is an improved version of AngularJS, there are certain similarities between the two frameworks. However, when Angular was introduced, it was intended to be a significant update to AngularJS with numerous improvements and new functionality. Therefore, it was designed to be different from its predecessor. Here is a detailed difference between Angular and AngularJS.

1. Language

Angular makes use of typescript While the language AngularJS supports is JavaScript.

2. Architectural Support

The application of Angular makes use of more than one component Angular. The architectural support possesses many components, however, the components have both templates and directives. While the architectural support for AngularJS supports MVC and MVVM(model view controller and model view view model). The MVC can process and store data while the MVVM is what display the data to the user. Additionally, what makes it possible for users to easily use the application is because of the controller and the ViewModel presents images easily because it can convert data objects from the model.

3. Mobile Friendliness

The applications of Angular are made to be mobile-friendly, which is say, they are fully optimized to work on mobile browsers. And the applications of AngularJS can not work on mobile browsers. It is not built to function on mobile browsers. 

4. Performance

Due to the fact that Angular has the ability to do server-side rendering, it is faster while loading applications. Basically, Angular has a high-performance ability because it possesses a binding feature. While AngularJS also works impressively, it is not built to accommodate the latest applications.

5. Learning Difficulty

Nothing is impossible to learn, so long as you have will. But between both frameworks, Angular has a high learning difficulty compared to AngularJS. Based on the several rules you have to comply with, before building an Angular application you have to have a high level of expertise. Js has low learning difficulty compared to Angular. it is easier to learn and practice.

6. Two-Way Binding

Two-way bind is supported in Angular, however, it is done using () or []. While AngularJS supports two binding in two ways, it does it through the use of the ng-bind directive which is a one-way binding, and the ng-model directive for two-way binding.

Also read: Angular vs React

Angular Vs AngularJS: Which is best for you?

Here is a compressive tabular representation of the differences between Angular and AngularJS.

Differences	Angular	AngularJS
Language	Angular makes use of typescript and javascript.	The only language AngularJS supports is JavaScript.
Architectural Support	The application of Angular makes use of more than one component Angular. The architectural Support possesses many components, however, the components have both templates and directives.	The architectural support for AngularJS supports MVC and  MVVM (model view controller and model view view model). The MVC can process and store data while the MVVM is what display the data to the user. Additionally, what makes it possible for users to easily use the application is because of the controller and the ViewModel makes presents images easily because it can con convert data objects from the model.
Mobile Friendliness	The applications of Angular are made to be mobile-friendly, that is to say, they are fully optimized to work on mobile browsers	The applications of AngularJS can not work on mobile browsers. It is not built to function on mobile browsers.
Performance	Due to the fact that Angular has the ability to do server-side rendering, it is faster while loading applications. Basically, Angular has a high-performance ability because it possesses a binding feature.	This also works impressively, however, AngularJS is not built to accommodate the latest applications.
Learning Difficulty	Nothing is impossible to learn, so long as you have will. But between both frameworks, Angular has a high learning difficulty compared to AngularJS. Based on the several rules you have to comply with, before building an Angular application you have to have a high level of expertise.	This is easier to learn and practice.
Two-Way Binding	Two-way binding is supported in Angular, however, it is done using () or [].	This also supports two bindings in two ways, although it does it through the use of the ng-bind directive which is a one-way binding, and the ng-model directive for two-way binding.

Use of Language Between Angular vs AngularJS

• A major difference between both frameworks is the use of programming language. AngularJS uses JavaScript while Angular uses typescript. In essence, for you to develop an application on AngularJS you will use JavaScript and typescript for Angular. Although both frameworks are used for programming, the language differences make their functionality and capability different.
• The reason Angular comes with an enhanced speed is that a typescript is only a subset of Javascript. Typescript makes it possible for developers to build advanced and large-scale apps within a short time and even with fewer coding errors.
• Based on the use of this distinctive language, it is quite easy to understand Angular. Regardless of how experienced you are in AngularJS, if you want to use Angular, you might have to learn typescript otherwise you will be stuck. The knowledge of AngularJS can’t be independently used in Angular.

Conclusion

We hope you have better understood the difference between Angular and AngularJS. As both frameworks are built by Google, as stated above, Angular is developed to succeed AngularJS, as such the qualities and properties of Angular are definitely more advanced than AngularJS. Having a comprehensive knowledge of both frameworks will enable you to make the right decision on a course to explore. 

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