React vs. Angular: Which Career Option is More Promising in 2024?

React vs. Angular: Which Career Option is More Promising in 2024?

13 Mar 2024
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Angular vs React - An Overview

Two of the most widely used JavaScript tools for front-end development are Angular and React. Both of them are strong, have lots of support, and are actively being cultivated in their respective communities. In this article, we'll compare Angular and React in-depth to explore how they match and differ in several important areas.

What Is Angular?

Angular, developed and maintained by Google, is a comprehensive and full-fledged front-end web application framework. Released in 2010, it has undergone significant changes over the years, with the latest version being Angular 12 at the time of writing.

Angular is a TypeScript-based framework that follows the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. Developers use HTML as a template language and HTML syntaxes for building single-page client application components.

What Is React?

React also known as ReactJS or React.js is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It was created by Facebook and is currently maintained by both Facebook and a community of individual developers. React was introduced in 2013 and is known for its simplicity and flexibility.

Read More - Angular Interview Questions for Experienced

follows a component-based architecture, allowing developers to build reusable UI components. It is commonly used to create user interfaces for single-page applications from isolated components. It can handle web and mobile apps’ view layers. Thus, React supports web and mobile app development.

Consider our:

Angular vs React: A Detailed Comparison

1. Performance

Angular vs React performance

Performance in AngularPerformance in React
Angular is generally considered to be quite fast. This is partly because of the use of the AOT (Ahead-of-Time) compiler, which compiles your code before it’s sent to the browser, making it faster to load and execute.Even with Angular’s AoT compiler, React is faster than Angular
It uses traditional DOM that updates the whole webpage even with the change of a single element.It uses the concept of virtual DOM putting less load on the browser.
It has bidirectional data binding. Therefore, the more bindings you have, the more watchers are created, and the more cumbersome the process becomes.Since the data-binding process is unidirectional, bindings are not assigned watchers as in the case of Angular.

2. Flexibility

Angular vs React Flexibility

Flexibility in AngularFlexibility in React
Angular is an opinionated framework and provides a lot of built-in features out of the box.React is very flexible and allows developers to do whatever they want with the code.
Angular offers a wide range of options like templates, custom directives, and components for customizing the code and adapting it to a project’s needs.Here developers have a lot of freedom to create custom components and tailor their code to their project’s needs.
This can be limiting if we want to do something that’s either not supported or not clearly defined.It can be overwhelming because there are so many options and decisions to make.

3. Essential Tools

Angular vs React Essential tools

PurposeTools in AngularTools in React
Code editingVS Code, Sublime Text, Aptana, etc.VS Code, Sublime Text, and Atom
Project setupAngular CLICreate React apps (CLI)
Server-side renderingAngular UniversalNext.js framework
TestingJasmine, Protractor, and KarmaJest, Enzyme, etc.

4. App Structure

Angular vs React App structure

App Structure in AngularApp Structure in React
The structure of Angular is fixed and complexThe structure of React provides developers with the freedom to choose. There is no “the only right structure” for a React app.
Angular is based on three layers – Model, Controller, and View.React offers only the View layer, while Model and Controller are added with the usage of other libraries.

5. Learning Curve

Angular vs React Learning Curve

Learning Curve for AngularLearning Curve for React
Angular is a complete MVC framework.React is a library and not a framework.
Knowledge of TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript is a must to learn Angular.It doesn’t require mastering JavaScript. It is simple to understand if you are familiar with the language
Angular is more complex to understand, there is a lot of unnecessary syntax, and component management is intricate.React is minimalistic: no dependency injection, no classic templates, no overly complicated features. Hence, easy for beginners.

6. Dependency Injection (DI)

Dependency Injection in AngularDependency Injection in React
Angular supports dependency injection accommodating flexibility in both testing and debugging.React does not fully support dependency injection as it does not fully comply with the idea of functional programming and data immutability.
It works through Dependency Injection Containers, Providers, Injection Tokens and InjectorsIt takes place through props and children.

Example of Dependency Injection in Angular


import { Injectable } from '@angular/core';
import { HEROES } from './mock-heroes';
@Injectable({
  // we declare that this service should be created
  // by the root application injector.
  providedIn: 'root',
})
export class HeroService {
  getHeroes() { return HEROES; }
}

Example of Dependency Injection in React


import React from 'react';
import { ApiService } from './services/ApiService';

// Child component that consumes the ApiService
function ChildComponent({ apiService }) {
  // Use the injected ApiService
  // ...
}

// Intermediate component that passes the ApiService through props
function IntermediateComponent({ apiService }) {
  return ;
}

// Parent component that creates the ApiService and passes it through props
function ParentComponent() {
  const apiService = new ApiService();

  return ;
}

export default ParentComponent;

Here, The ParentComponent creates an instance of the ApiService and passes it through props to the IntermediateComponent. Then, the IntermediateComponent passes it further down to the ChildComponent.

7. Data Binding

Data Binding in AngularData Binding in React
Angular uses two-way data binding, also known as bidirectional data binding. Therefore if you change something in the UI, it also reflates at the other end in a component class. React uses unidirectional data binding. A unidirectional data binding indicates a one-way parent-to-child data flow. Therefore, you can’t trace it backward.
It’s a comparatively slower process It’s a comparatively faster process

Implementing Data Binding in Angular

 Data Binding in Angular

  1. Interpolation or String Interpolation
    
    // Component Class
    export class AppComponent {
        title = 'ScholarHat';
    }
    
    
    <!-- HTML Template --><h1>{{ title }}</h1>
  2. Property Binding
    
    // Component Class
    export class AppComponent {
        imageUrl = 'path/to/image.jpg';
    }
    
    
    <!-- HTML Template --><img [src]="imageUrl" />
  3. Event Binding
    
    // Component Class
    export class AppComponent {
        onClick() {
            console.log('Button clicked!');
        }
    }
    
    
    <!-- HTML Template --><button (click)="onClick()">Click me</button>

Implementing Data Binding in React

Data Binding in React

  1. State
    • Class Components
      
      import React, { Component } from 'react';
      
      class MyComponent extends Component {
        constructor(props) {
          super(props);
          this.state = {
            message: 'ScholarHat'
          };
        }
      
        render() {
          return <div>{this.state.message}</div>;
        }
      }
      
      export default MyComponent;
      
    • Functional Components with Hooks (useState)
      
      import React, { useState } from 'react';
      
      function MyComponent() {
        const [message, setMessage] = useState('ScholarHat');
      
        return <div>{message}</div>;
      }
      
      export default MyComponent;
      
  2. Props
    • Parent Component
      
      import React from 'react';
      import ChildComponent from './ChildComponent';
      
      function ParentComponent() {
        return <ChildComponent message="ScholarHat" />;
      }
      
      export default ParentComponent;
      
    • Child Component
      
      import React from 'react';
      
      function ChildComponent(props) {
        return <div>{props.message}</div>;
      }
      
      export default ChildComponent;
          
  3. Event Handling
    
    import React, { useState } from 'react';
    
    function MyComponent() {
      const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
    
      const handleIncrement = () => {
        setCount(count + 1);
      };
    
      return (
        <div>
          <p>Count: {count}</p>
          <button onClick={handleIncrement}>Increment</button>
        </div>
      );
    }
    
    export default MyComponent;
        

8. State Management

State management is crucial for building scalable applications.

State Management in AngularState Management in React
NGRX is a state management library, which permits the use of reactive state management.Generally, REDUX works as a state management library for React.
In Angular, component data is stored in component properties. Parent components pass data through to children.In React, every React component can have a state, so it’s necessary to manage the states of these components separately.

Example of State Management in Angular

State Management in Angular


export class HeroListComponent implements OnInit {
  heroes: Hero[];
  selectedHero: Hero;
  constructor(private service: HeroService) { }
  ngOnInit() {
    this.heroes = this.service.getHeroes();
  }
  selectHero(hero: Hero) { this.selectedHero = hero; }
}
    

Example of State Management in React

State Management in React


class Clock extends React.Component {
  constructor(props) {
    super(props);
  this.state = {date: new Date()};
 }
 render() {
   return (
    <div>
     <h1>Hello world!</h1>
     <h2>Now is {this.state.date.toLocaleTimeString()}.</h2>
    </div>
  );
 }
}    

9. UI Components

AngularReact
Angular has a built-in Material toolset, and it offers a variety of pre-built material design components.UI tools for React are developed by the community. There are a lot of free and paid UI components on the React portal.
UI configuration becomes simpler and faster due to this.To use material design components in React, you would have to install an additional library – Material-UI Library & Dependencies.

10. Industry Trends

ParametersAngularReact
Market TrendsIt is becoming popular day by day but less than ReactIts popularity is increasing much faster with time
Job TrendsThe average annual salary of an Angular Developer in India is around Rs. 4+ lpaThe average annual salary of a React Developer in India is around Rs. 7+ lpa

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11. Adoption and Application

AngularReact
MNC Companies previously worked in C, C++, Java use it as it's easy to shift.Startup companies use it in high demand.
Angular is used by Google, Apple, Nike, McD, Upwork, Sony, etc.React is endlessly used by Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Instagram, Airbnb, etc.

Angular Vs. React Used by Companies

12. Community and Documentation

 Community and Documentation in angular and react

Community and Documentation Support for AngularCommunity and Documentation Support for React
Angular is less adopted than React despite being released earlier.React framework is one of the most popular JS frameworks worldwide
Comparatively smaller community support than ReactA large community of individual developers and companies
Angular has an extensive official documentationlack of documentation at times

Angular vs React: When to Use Each?

Use Angular when:

  • Building large-scale enterprise applications.
  • A comprehensive framework with built-in solutions for various aspects of development is preferred.
  • A strong emphasis on TypeScript and a structured, opinionated approach is desired.

Use React when:

  • Building smaller to medium-sized applications.
  • Flexibility to choose additional libraries and tools based on project requirements is important.
  • A more straightforward learning curve is desired, especially for those new to front-end development.

Comparison in a Nutshell

Angular vs React

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Summary

In conclusion, the choice between Angular and React depends on the specific needs of a project and the preferences of the development team. Angular is a robust framework that provides a complete solution for large-scale applications, while React offers flexibility and simplicity, making it suitable for a wide range of projects.

Ultimately, both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, and the decision should be based on factors such as project size, complexity, and the team's familiarity with the technology.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main difference between React and Angular?

The main difference lies in their architecture and approach. Angular is a full-fledged front-end framework, offering a comprehensive solution for building large-scale applications. React, on the other hand, is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, focusing primarily on the view layer and providing more flexibility.

Q2. Which one is easier to learn, React or Angular?

React is generally considered easier to learn, especially for beginners, due to its simpler concepts and a more gradual learning curve. Angular, with its extensive documentation and TypeScript integration, can be more challenging for newcomers to front-end development.

Q3. What is TypeScript, and why does Angular use it?

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing to the language. It helps catch errors during development and provides better tooling support. Angular uses TypeScript to enhance code quality, enable features like dependency injection, and bring a more structured and scalable approach to building applications.

Q4. What is the role of the Angular CLI and Create React App?

The Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) and Create React App are tools that help streamline the development process. The Angular CLI assists in tasks such as scaffolding components, services, and modules for Angular projects. Create React App, on the other hand, is a tool for quickly setting up React applications with a predefined project structure.

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About Author
Shailendra Chauhan (Microsoft MVP, Founder & CEO at Scholarhat by DotNetTricks)

Shailendra Chauhan is the Founder and CEO at ScholarHat by DotNetTricks which is a brand when it comes to e-Learning. He provides training and consultation over an array of technologies like Cloud, .NET, Angular, React, Node, Microservices, Containers and Mobile Apps development. He has been awarded Microsoft MVP 8th time in a row (2016-2023). He has changed many lives with his writings and unique training programs. He has a number of most sought-after books to his name which has helped job aspirants in cracking tough interviews with ease.
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