Introduction: The Angular framework has once again elevated the web development experience with its latest major release – Angular 17. In this blog post, we delve into the key features and enhancements introduced in Angular 17, providing developers and business owners with insights into the advancements that can shape the future of web applications.
1. Standalone Components and Signals: Angular 17 marks the introduction of Standalone Components and Signals, contributing to an improved Angular Renaissance. This release boasts a new syntax for control flow, enhanced support for lazy loading of page components, and a substantial improvement in Server-Side Rendering (SSR). The build process has also seen a boost with the CLI now relying on ESBuild.
2. TypeScript 5.2 Support: Angular 17 embraces TypeScript 5.2, offering optimizations for AngularJS performance. Quick Recursive Type Checking, a new declarative control flow syntax, and automatic addition of commas to object property lists are among the features that enhance the overall Angular-based app performance.
3. View Transition API Opt-in Support: Angular 17 introduces an opt-in support for the View Transition API, making it easier to utilize this feature without the need for complex code. This feature is supported by multiple browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Edge, and others.
4. Lazy Loaded Images Optimization: Addressing the challenge of slow-loading images in web applications, Angular 17 recommends the use of NgOptimizedImages. This tool helps manage essential images for initial app loading, ensuring a smoother user experience.
5. Setup Routes for Unique Testing: Angular 17 introduces the ability to set up routes for testing using provideRouter and RouterModule.forRoot, replacing the need for setupTestingRouter. This change includes the migration of certain Router properties for improved testing capabilities.
6. CSS Automatic Removal: A notable feature in Angular 17 is the automatic removal of CSS from the DOM upon component destruction. This ensures the efficient functioning of the application and prevents issues such as RAM overheating.
7. Additional Updates: Angular 17 brings forth several additional updates, including improved support for internationalization and accessibility. Custom element bindings and element providers now enjoy extended support, and the command “ng g interceptor” generates interceptors for various purposes in Angular applications.
How to Install Angular 17: For those familiar with previous Angular versions, installing Angular 17 is a straightforward process. Utilize the npm (Node Package Manager) and execute the following command line in the CLI:
npm install --global @angular/cli@next