Exploring Angular v18: Zoneless Change Detection and More

Introduction

We are thrilled to announce the release of Angular v18! This version focuses on stabilizing many new APIs, addressing common developer requests, and experimentally introducing zoneless change detection.

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Key Highlights

1. Zoneless Change Detection
Zoneless change detection is now available experimentally, eliminating the need for zone.js, leading to improved performance, faster initial renders, smaller bundle sizes, and simpler debugging.

Enabling Zoneless Change Detection

To enable zoneless change detection, modify your application bootstrap configuration:

import { bootstrapApplication } from '@angular/platform-browser';
import { provideExperimentalZonelessChangeDetection } from '@angular/core';

bootstrapApplication(App, {
  providers: [
    provideExperimentalZonelessChangeDetection()
  ]
});

Remove zone.js from angular.json.

Example Component

Here's an example of a component using zoneless change detection:

import { Component, signal } from '@angular/core';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-root',
  template: `
    <h1>Hello from {{ name() }}!</h1>
    <button (click)="handleClick()">Go Zoneless</button>
  `,
})
export class App {
  protected name = signal('Angular');

  handleClick() {
    this.name.set('Zoneless Angular');
  }
}

2. Material 3 and Deferrable Views
Material 3 components and deferrable views are now stable. Material 3 incorporates feedback-based improvements, and deferrable views help enhance Core Web Vitals.

3. Built-in Control Flow
The built-in control flow API is now stable, featuring better type checking and ergonomic implicit variable aliasing.

Server-Side Rendering Enhancements

Improved i18n Hydration Support
i18n hydration support is now available, enabling better handling of internationalized content during hydration.

Enhanced Debugging Tools
Angular DevTools now visualize the hydration process, displaying component hydration statuses and identifying hydration errors.

Firebase App Hosting

Angular v18 supports dynamic Angular applications on Firebase App Hosting, simplifying deployment and enhancing performance.

TypeScript 5.4 Compatibility

This version is fully compatible with TypeScript 5.4, allowing developers to utilize the latest TypeScript features.

Additional Updates

Unified Control State Change Events
Form controls now expose an events property for tracking changes in value, touch state, pristine status, and control status.

const nameControl = new FormControl<string | null>('name', Validators.required);
nameControl.events.subscribe(event => {
  // process the individual events
});

Automated Migration to Application Builder
The new application builder, based on Vite with esbuild, replaces the previous webpack experience, reducing dependencies and improving installation times.

Route Redirects as Functions
The redirectTo property now accepts a function, providing higher flexibility for dynamic route redirects.

const routes: Routes = [
  { path: "first-component", component: FirstComponent },
  {
    path: "old-user-page",
    redirectTo: ({ queryParams }) => {
      const userIdParam = queryParams['userId'];
      if (userIdParam !== undefined) {
        return `/user/${userIdParam}`;
      } else {
        return `/not-found`;
      }
    },
  },
  { path: "user/:userId", component: OtherComponent },
];

Series Index

Conclusion

Angular v18 brings numerous improvements and new features that enhance performance, developer experience, and application capabilities. From zoneless change detection to stable Material 3 components and improved SSR, this release empowers developers to build more efficient and robust applications. For detailed information, visit the official Angular blog post.

Stay updated with the latest Angular developments and happy coding with Angular v18!

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