Exploring Angular v18: Zoneless Change Detection and More
Tags: angular, angular18, javascript, material
Published: 2024-05-30 05:21:06

### 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:

```typescript
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:

```typescript
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.

```typescript
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.

```typescript
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 },
];
```

### 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](https://blog.angular.dev/angular-v18-is-now-available-e79d5ac0affe).

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

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