Angular is a popular open-source framework developed by Google for building dynamic web applications. It is written in TypeScript and allows developers to build single-page applications that are responsive, fast, and can run on any device.
Angular is based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern where the model represents the data, the view represents the UI, and the controller is responsible for handling user inputs and updating the view. This separation of concerns makes it easier to maintain and scale applications.
Angular has a steep learning curve compared to other JavaScript libraries and frameworks like React or Vue, but once you understand the core concepts, you will be able to build powerful web applications.
Here are some key concepts and features of Angular:
1. Components: Angular applications are built using components, which are reusable and independent building blocks of an application. Each component has its own view template, styles, and behavior.
2. Directives: Directives in Angular are used to add behavior to the DOM elements. There are built-in directives like ngIf, ngFor, ngStyle, etc., that allow developers to manipulate the DOM dynamically.
3. Services: Services are used to share data and functionality across different parts of an application. They are singleton objects and can be injected into components, directives, or other services.
4. Dependency Injection: Angular has a powerful dependency injection system that allows developers to inject dependencies into components, services, or directives, making the code more modular and testable.
5. Routing: Angular comes with a built-in router that allows developers to navigate between different views in a single-page application without reloading the entire page.
6. Forms: Angular provides a robust forms module that makes it easy to create and validate forms in an application. It includes features like two-way data binding, form validation, custom validators, etc.
7. Observables: Angular uses RxJS Observables to handle asynchronous data streams. Observables are a powerful tool for managing events, HTTP requests, and other asynchronous operations in an Angular application.
8. Angular CLI: The Angular Command Line Interface (CLI) is a tool that helps developers create, build, test, and deploy Angular applications quickly and efficiently. It comes with commands for generating components, services, modules, etc., and automates many of the development tasks.
When preparing for an Angular interview, it is important to have a good understanding of these key concepts and be able to explain how you have used them in your projects. Practice coding examples and be prepared to answer questions about performance optimization, best practices, and common Angular pitfalls.
Overall, Angular is a powerful framework for building modern web applications and mastering it can open up many opportunities for developers in the industry.