Unless you’re brand new to development, you’ve likely heard of both Angular and JavaScript. They’re both effective, high-level programming tools that enable users to develop web applications, sites, and more. They also seem fairly simple on the surface.
However, there are plenty of distinctions between the two and they also have differing uses when it comes to your development projects. There are some key concepts to keep in mind when distinguishing Angular and JavaScript, so here’s what you should know.
Angular fundamentals
Part of why Angular is commonly mixed up with JavaScript is because its full name is AngularJS which, as you likely know, uses the typical shorthand for JavaScript: “JS”. However, where JavaScript is its own entity, Angular is more of a framework extension of the language itself and is primarily programmed in JavaScript as well. Sound confusing? Think of Angular as more of an add-on to JavaScript, the base product.
Angular is primarily used for developing web applications, though it also has uses in the mobile and desktop spheres. Angular shines when working with data-rich projects such as augmented reality applications and some games. At its simplest level, it excels at crafting dynamic web forms that give a bit more flair to your average site, but if that’s your only need, Angular might be a bit too dense for the project. So if Angular is primarily a JavaScript framework, what does JavaScript itself do?
JavaScript basics
JavaScript is a programming and scripting language that’s typically object-oriented. It’s one of the core languages for developing dynamic websites and applications, alongside HTML and CSS. Need an example of just how prominent JavaScript is? It was first released in 1995 and still sees very heavy use today. In comparison, Angular saw its first release in 2010 and has only had a few stable releases following that initial date.
JavaScript has full integration with both HTML and CSS, which makes it fairly unique for a programming language. Since it’s supported by most major browsers available, it’s typically enabled by default. It’s no wonder, given that the language was used to make websites more interactive and visually dynamic for decades. Compared to Angular’s syntax, however, JavaScript is usually seen as more complex, though overall, Angular has a slightly steeper learning curve.
Learning Angular
If you’ve already familiarized yourself with the fundamentals of JavaScript and are ready to move on to more complex concepts and even develop some larger single page applications (SPAs), then you might want to look into Angular training for your team. Though many Chicago-based agencies don’t have in-house education, don’t worry because outside help is definitely available. There are a good amount of businesses offering Angular training in Chicago, but they aren’t all created equally.
The best trainers are comfortable teaching your team both basic and advanced Angular concepts and uses. Whether you’ve created simpler applications or are ready to go for the high-end complexity of a virtual reality project, the right trainer will be able to offer guidance.
Also, choose trainers based on whether or not they offer onsite training. The comfort of having the trainer come to you makes it easy for your team to engage and absorb information. While it’s not an absolute must, it’s definitely a perk, especially since coordinating transit to offsite trainings can be frustrating and expensive.
If you’re ready to start crafting web applications with Angular, there’s never been a better time to learn. The community is thriving and the scalability of the framework makes it a great fit for many teams. All that’s left is to find the right trainer and start developing your first project.
