10 Essential Angular best practices every Developer should know

Angular is a popular open-source JavaScript framework used for building web and mobile applications. It's a comprehensive framework that includes features like two-way data binding, dependency injection, and component-based architecture. However, building large-scale applications with Angular can be a daunting task without proper guidance and best practices. In this article, we'll discuss the top 10 essential Angular best practices that every developer should know.

1. Use Angular CLI for Project Setup

Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that simplifies the Angular project setup process. It generates the project structure, creates components, services, and pipes, and installs dependencies automatically. By using Angular CLI, developers can save time and focus on building the actual application.

2. Follow the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)

The Single Responsibility Principle is a software design principle that states that a class or function should have only one reason to change. In the context of Angular, it means that each component, service, or directive should have only one responsibility. This makes the codebase more modular, easier to test, and maintainable.

3. Use Reactive Forms Instead of Template-Driven Forms

Angular provides two types of forms: template-driven forms and reactive forms. Reactive forms are more powerful, flexible, and scalable than template-driven forms. They use a reactive programming approach and provide features like dynamic form controls, form validation, and custom form controls. By using reactive forms, developers can build complex forms with ease and maintain them easily.

4. Use Lazy Loading for Optimal Performance

Lazy loading is a technique that loads only the required modules when a user navigates to a specific route. This improves the application's performance by reducing the initial loading time and optimizing resource usage. By using lazy loading, developers can improve the user experience and reduce the load time of the application.

5. Use Angular Universal for Server-Side Rendering

Angular Universal is a platform that allows developers to render Angular applications on the server-side. It improves the application's performance by reducing the initial load time and improving SEO. By using Angular Universal, developers can provide a better user experience and increase the visibility of the application.

6. Use the Right Angular Architecture

Angular follows a component-based architecture, where each feature is built as a component. However, there are different approaches to building the architecture of an Angular application. The most common ones are monolithic architecture and microservices architecture. Choosing the right architecture depends on the project's requirements, scale, and complexity.

7. Optimize Angular Performance

Angular provides several tools and techniques to optimize application performance. Some of them include Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation, Tree shaking, and Change Detection Strategy. By using these tools and techniques, developers can improve the application's performance and reduce the load time.

8. Use Angular Material for UI Components

Angular Material is a UI component library for Angular applications. It provides a set of reusable UI components, including buttons, cards, dialogs, menus, and more. By using Angular Material, developers can save time and effort in building custom UI components and ensure consistency across the application.

9. Follow Code Standards and Conventions

Following code standards and conventions is essential for building scalable and maintainable code. Angular has its own style guide, which includes guidelines for coding standards, file structure, naming conventions, and more. By following these guidelines, developers can ensure consistency across the codebase and make it easier for other developers to understand and maintain the code.

10. Write Unit and Integration Tests

Unit and integration tests are essential for ensuring the quality and reliability of the code. Angular provides a robust testing framework that allows developers to write unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. By writing tests, developers can catch bugs early in the development cycle, reduce the risk of introducing new bugs, and ensure that the application works as intended.

In conclusion, Angular is a powerful framework for building web and mobile applications, but it requires developers to follow best practices to ensure their codebase is scalable and maintainable. By using Angular CLI, following the Single Responsibility Principle, using reactive forms, lazy loading, Angular Universal, choosing the right architecture, optimizing performance, using Angular Material, following code standards and conventions, and writing unit and integration tests, developers can build efficient and effective applications. These best practices not only improve the application's performance but also make it easier to maintain and extend in the future. By following these best practices, developers can build robust and reliable Angular applications that meet the business requirements and user needs.