Getting Started

Getting Started with Angular

Overview (5 minutes)

What is Angular?

Angular is a powerful front-end framework developed by Google for building dynamic web applications, specifically Single Page Applications (SPAs). It provides a comprehensive solution for:

• Building scalable web applications
• Creating reusable UI components
• Managing application state
• Handling routing and navigation
• Form handling and validation

Key Differences: Angular vs AngularJS

Angular (2+) represents a complete reimagining of the original AngularJS framework:

Basic Setup Requirements

1. Node.js

   • Download from nodejs.org
   • Recommended version: 16.x or higher
   • Includes npm (Node Package Manager)

2. Angular CLI

   npm install -g @angular/cli
   

3. Create New Project

   ng new my-app
   cd my-app
   ng serve
   

Playground

View the Playground

Understanding SPAs

A Single Page Application (SPA) is a web application that:

• Loads a single HTML page
• Dynamically updates content without full page reloads
• Provides a more fluid user experience
• Reduces server load by only requesting data, not entire pages

Benefits of SPAs:

• Faster user experience after initial load
• Reduced server load
• Better caching capabilities
• More app-like feel

Common Questions

Q: “What’s an SPA? Can anyone explain?” A: An SPA is a web application that operates within a single page, dynamically rewriting the current page rather than loading entire new pages from the server.

Next Steps

• Learn about Components
• Understand Angular Modules
• Explore Data Binding