Guide for Upgrading AngularJS to Angular with an Example of Real Case
AngularJS to Angular migration has become a crucial concern as the support for AngularJS ended on December 31st, 2021. This lack of upgrades means that an increasing number of businesses are considering the shift to Angular.
But before getting started with migration, it is important to answer some key questions.
- Apart from Google’s decision to discontinue support of AngularJS, what are other compelling reasons to migrate?
- Is your company ready to make the transition?
- What benefits will the migration offer?
We will address these questions in this blog post.
But first things first, what are AngularJS and Angular? AngularJS is a JavaScript framework developed by Google in 2009 and released in 2010. It streamlines development processes and simplifies testing. Thanks to the newly developed framework, a long, complex code of 17,000 lines can be rewritten into 1,500 lines in only three weeks.
Angular 14 is available now! Learn the features and updates. Angular 14 New Features and Benefits for Business and Developers 
However, as demands grew and developers encountered limitations, a new framework was needed to meet evolving application development requirements. This is what Angular was designed to fix, and migrating in the fastest and most efficient way is something every business leader should know how to do.
Why Your Business Should Consider AngularJS to Angular Migration
What are the main differences between AngularJS and Angular? Why is the migration relevant, and how will it affect your team and the application itself?
Ease of use
AngularJS is far less reusable than its new version. Angular provides reusability of the elements due to its component-based architecture while facilitating high testability and easy maintenance. Although AngularJS is flexible, Angular is better structured, which goes back to its component-based architecture. It makes it more manageable and allows you to create large-scale applications.
Technology updates
As mentioned before, by the year 2021, Google will have stopped technical support and upgrades for AngularJS, which raises a huge concern for the businesses. This means that AngularJS migration to Angular is inevitable; however, the sooner your business makes this shift, the easier and more cost-efficient it is going to be.
Technological updates are vital for your application as they ensure maximum stability for project progress. Angular team has decided to launch upgrades every six months, which guarantees the latest versions and the ultimate support.
Speed
Firstly, Angular solves the problem of developing larger apps, including ERP system upgrade. It provides faster compilation, improves debugging, and facilitates flexibility. Secondly, Angular uses a more consistent language — TypeScript, that reduces runtime errors and provides code optimization, altogether leading to higher development velocity. Finally, while AngularJS relies on third-party tools, Angular uses Command Line Interface (CLI) that decreases application development duration.
Business Benefits of Migration from AngularJS to Angular
Let’s dig deeper into the main advantages of switching from AngularJS to Angular for business functionalities.
Mobile-oriented approach
Developed back in 2009, AngularJS does not support mobile devices. On the other hand, Angular delivers new techniques that allow you to create lightweight apps for mobile devices and browsers. Due to its component-based structure, Angular allows the so-called lazy scripting that uses particular modules only when needed as well as a better organization that provides faster page loading and higher performance.
Easy to maintain
Angular has an architecture that is based on components or services, in other words — modules. These modules enable an organization of application functionalities by separating them into reusable pieces of data. Each piece is responsible for one feature and stays independent of its system and APIs. All of the above ensures easier maintenance where developers can swap one component with another without rewriting the entire code.
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Avoid code errors
Unlike AngularJS, which is based on JavaScript, Angular uses TypeScript which has a type-checking feature. This means that developers can avoid compile-time errors since the mistakes become easily detectable. Moreover, TypeScript code can be edited directly in the browser, making debugging easier and detecting errors at an early stage of development.
Reduced costs
We have mentioned above that Angular reduces the overall development cycle as well as simplifies maintenance and debugging. Overall, it leads to cost savings along with smaller paychecks for developers since they will spend less time working on coding, testing legacy codebases, and so on.
In addition to this, your business will cut bills on third-party tools like WebStorm or Brackets since Angular comes with an official Command Line Interface (CLI). Angular offers CLI that is optimized for its purpose; however, external tools like IDEs and UI kits are also available.
High performance
High performance derives from the module-based architecture of the Angular framework as opposed to AngularJS performance issues. By compartmentalizing chunks of data, developers can work on different pieces of code independently without facing the risk of creating unsustainable code. Due to the organization that Angular brings, labor within the teams can be divided, thus accelerating the process of development.
On top of that, Angular offers best practices for fast performance, both network and runtime. For example, you can remove comments and whitespace as well as get rid of dead code with Uglify, provide bundling together with tree-shaking with Rollup, and use ngx-quicklink as a preloading strategy to download lazy-loaded modules.
For more tips, see the Angular performance checklist on the GitHub page.
Setting Up an AngularJS to Angular Migration Plan
Converting from AngularJS to Angular is not a small task. It can impact your service delivery, especially if the software is key to your operations. You need a sound migration plan to make it a success. A typical AngularJS to Angular migration plan will include the following steps.
Set up TypeScript
To experience a seamless migration, you need to set up TypeScript. Use the @types/angular package to enable TypeScript interoperability with your existing JavaScript code. Also, by using the TypeScript Compiler and integrating TypeScript modules, you can achieve seamless integration between AngularJS and TypeScript.
Create a new build
In the migration process, it is vital that you create a new build of your legacy application using Angular CLI (Some people prefer webpack). By copying your AngularJS files to a new folder in the Angular structure, you establish a connection that automatically retains the features of your application.
Use the ngUpgrade toolkit
To facilitate easy migration, you can make use of the ngUpgrade toolkit. This toolkit enables the coexistence of both frameworks, allowing you to gradually update components and operate with AngularJS and Angular simultaneously.
Transfer services and components
During the migration, you will need the downgrade components feature to make Angular components available within the AngularJS part of your project. Additionally, it is important to carefully rewrite specific sections of your code to ensure compatibility and a seamless migration to the latest version of Angular.
Utilize UI-router
Routing plays a crucial role in the migration process. With ngUpgrade, the routing process is seamlessly supported by default, resulting in a trouble-free transition. You can also utilize the UI-Router to ensure efficient navigation and migration of your application’s routes.
Determine the best approach for migration
There are three paths that you can take when thinking of moving from AngularJS to Angular.
- Rewrite
This approach is self-explanatory — your team rewrites the entire code. Especially for outdated applications, also known as legacy apps, rewriting might be an adequate solution. Starting from scratch, you can re-design and rethink your application and implement new features on the go.
Want to know more about legacy software rewriting process? Find your answers here: Should You Rehost, Rebuild, or Rewrite a Legacy Application With Latest Software?
The downside is obvious — rewriting the entire application doesn’t happen overnight, which means that your team will have to work on both applications simultaneously. Your developers will recreate the application using Angular and simultaneously support and upgrade the existing one for current users.
- Hybrid with ngUpgrade
ngUpgrade — a library offered by Angular — allows you to keep running both frameworks simultaneously. This technology facilitates a slow and smooth transition that can last years or be relatively quick, depending on your goals and priorities. Your development team chooses one route at a time and starts upgrading from the bottom up. ngUpgrade allows Angular and AngularJS to coexist and work together without disrupting the application.
- Angular Elements
Angular Elements is a new package in Angular that allows you to transform Angular components into custom elements natively understood by browsers. Angular Elements eliminate the necessity of ngUpgrade; however, they are useful only for very big and complex applications.
Сhoose a development team
You should integrate several factors into the decision-making process: the size of your development team, its capacity, and experience, as well as your current version of AngularJS. A small team with no resources for consultants should not consider Angular Elements as an option. If you have one of the latest AngularJS versions, ngUpgrade might be a good choice for your software; otherwise, go for the rewriting approach.
A big company with a lot of time and resources and a massively complex application should consider implementing Angular Elements; however, ngUpgrade might also be a choice for you.
Legacy system migration to web applications is a complex process. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls. Guide to Legacy Application Migration: All You Need to Know
AngularJS to Angular Migration Step-By-Step: Real Case Basis
To make the most of your migration, you need to refer to professionals who will analyze your software, business, and goals and draw a detailed plan to execute the upgrade from AngularJS to Angular. ModLogix is a software development company that specializes in modernization and innovation. Our goal is to revive your legacy applications and make them better than ever.
Here are the steps we implement to execute the right strategy to recreate the Angular-based apps:
1. Establish the scope of the project
Collaborate closely with the client to understand the application’s scope, functionalities, and desired migration outcome. This step helps us define the boundaries and objectives of the project.
2. Set the priorities for migration
Identify and prioritize critical business functionalities for phased migration. This approach minimizes disruption and delivers value early on.
3. Assess risks and develop mitigation strategies
Analyze potential migration risks like compatibility, third-party integrations, and performance issues. We then develop mitigation strategies to address these risks and ensure a smooth migration process.
4. Determine tech stack, architecture, and guidelines
Determine the detailed tech stack, architecture, and development guidelines for the migration. This maintains consistency and ensures highly scalable applications, improved performance, and maintainability.
5. Set up CI/CD
Establish a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for automated build, testing, and deployment. CI/CD streamlines development, catches errors early, and enables faster, reliable delivery.
6. Provide continuous feedback and updates
Maintain transparent communication with the client throughout the migration. Conduct regular feedback sessions, share progress reports, and give demos to keep them involved and informed.
7. Execute the implementation
We execute the migration plan, following the prioritized roadmap. Our experienced team applies best practices and coding standards to ensure a successful migration within the agreed timeline.
8. Conduct retrospective analysis
Evaluate the migration process, identify lessons learned, and gather feedback through an in-depth retrospective analysis. This informs improvements for future migrations and optimizes our approach.
The duration of each step depends on project complexity, codebase size, resources, and client requirements. We collaborate closely with our clients to provide estimated timelines and ensure a successful switch from AngularJS to Angular.
Technologies we use:
Angular 9, Kendo UI, RxJS, Angular-Gridster2, Angulartics, Angular CLI, VS Code, TSLints.
Why these technologies?
We take into account the following: the size of the community, the support provided, the quality of documentation, the number of examples and tutorials, the overall rating, possible issues, flexibility, and expenses.
Our team is fully responsible for every step of the project from the initiation to the closure and you can explore our AngularJS upgrading approach in detail.
How to Migrate from AngularJS to Angular 9 Case Study
VIEW CASE STUDY
Consider ModLogix Your Trusted Partner
At Modlogix, we specialize in modernizing legacy software, making us the perfect partner for your AngularJS to Angular migration. We ensure a smooth and efficient migration.
Our experienced team of developers boasts an in-depth knowledge of the Angular ecosystem. They also follow industry best practices, ensuring high-quality code, seamless modernization, app scalability, and performance optimization.
We pride ourselves on clear and transparent communication, providing regular updates and continuous feedback throughout the migration process. We prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to exceed your expectations at every step.
With Modlogix as your trusted partner, you can confidently embark on your AngularJS to Angular migration journey, or any other legacy software modernization project, knowing that you have a reliable and skilled team by your side. Experience a seamless transition and unlock the full potential of modern software.
Conclusion
AngularJS is an outdated framework. Together with a number of benefits that Angular will bring, there is no choice but to take the step into upgrading from AngularJS to Angular. There is no question of whether to migrate, rather than when and how. If you want your application to run better and faster and your features to be easy to implement, this shift is necessary.
Contact ModLogix to receive an ultimate AngularJS to Angular migration guide and take the first step into the future of software development.
