AngularJS to React: why the time to switch is now?4

AngularJS has no future. You know it, and I know it. There is no longer any support as of 2023, and developers try to stay as far away from it as possible. The problems of companies still using it are piling up.

So if by any chance you are still using AngularJS, I don't think I need to convince you any further that it has to go. And it has to go now.

But let's dive deeper into the hard truth, explore alternative tech solutions, and see how you can prepare for the switch.

AngularJS vs React - a quick overview

Before exploring an overview of alternatives and discussing the pros and cons of switching to them, I want to highlight some compelling facts that demonstrate why it is time to make the switch now and, in many cases, why opting to adopt React is a wise decision.

01
Above all, the support for AngularJS officially ended in January 2022. Furthermore, it's worth highlighting that Angular versions v2 to v13 are no longer receiving official support.
02
The drop in interest in Angular and the surge in popularity of React among developers is evident in the latest Stack Overflow Annual Developer Survey 2023 . According to the survey data collected among professional developers, React garnered a significant 42.87% share in terms of web frameworks and technologies. In comparison, Angular lagged behind at 19.89%, while AngularJS only accounted for 7.96% of the responses. These statistics demonstrate the shifting preferences and increasing adoption of React among the developer community.
03
React stands out in terms of DX (Developer Experience) due to its remarkable attributes, such as user-friendliness, adaptability, quicker rendering through the use of virtual DOM, top-notch performance, and efficient testing capabilities.
04
React has a thriving community and ecosystem. While both React and Angular have strong communities, React's community is generally considered more dynamic. Moreover, React's ecosystem is lively, offering developers countless tools, libraries, and resources.
05
Last but not least, React Native. If you are also contemplating mobile app development, React might be a preferable choice due to React Native. This framework enables the creation of efficient native mobile apps using JavaScript while also granting access to native features. React Native is a descendant of React, not just in name but also in syntax and approach. For developers acquainted with React, implementing React Native is straightforward.

Leaving AngularJS behind - React and other alternatives

When you decide to move on, you might think that the simplest solution is to migrate to Angular if you have worked with AngularJS. Overengineering and overthinking the technology can be a detrimental factor when it comes to agility and fast implementations.

However, there is more to consider than meets the eye. Migration entails a significant effort in terms of technology, budget, team engagement, project management, and more. So, if you decide to proceed, take a moment to think outside the box and check other technologies.

Having said that, I will present three migration solutions and one temporary solution. I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Angular, Vue, React, and even staying with AngularJS (although I do not recommend it).

Pros and cons of migrating to Angular

Benefits after migrating:

01
TypeScript integration: Angular is built with TypeScript as its primary language, which brings static typing, better tooling, and enhanced code reliability. TypeScript allows for simpler refactoring, provides code navigation features, and catches errors during transpile-time, resulting in more robust and maintainable code.
02
Improved performance: Angular introduces various optimizations and enhancements in performance compared to AngularJS. It leverages a more efficient change detection mechanism, resulting in faster rendering and better overall application performance.
03
Angular provides a more structured and component-based architecture, making it easier to manage and maintain code. It offers improved tooling, TypeScript support, and better IDE integration, boosting developer productivity.

Cons of the migration process:

01
Learning curve: Angular and AngularJS have significant disparities in architecture and concepts. Migrating to Angular requires developers to learn new concepts, such as the component-based architecture, dependency injection, and reactive programming with RxJS. This initial learning curve may slow down development initially.
02
Potential breakage: AngularJS and Angular have different APIs and approaches, which can lead to possible breaking changes during the migration process. Some AngularJS features might not have direct equivalents in Angular, requiring developers to find alternative solutions or workarounds.
03
Upgrading dependencies: Angular often necessitates upgrading dependencies to their latest versions, including TypeScript, RxJS, and other libraries. This can introduce compatibility issues with existing code or third-party libraries that rely on older versions.

Pros and cons of migrating to Vue

Benefits after migrating:

01
Improved performance: Vue is recognized for its lightweight nature and efficient rendering mechanism. Migrating to Vue can result in faster load times and enhanced overall performance compared to AngularJS.
02
Simplicity and ease of learning: Vue has a straightforward and more intuitive syntax compared to AngularJS, making it easier for developers to understand and learn. This can result in faster development cycles and less steep learning curves for new team members.
03
Component-based architecture: Vue follows a component-based architecture similar to Angular, allowing for better code organization, reusability, and maintainability. Migrating to Vue can enable developers to harness the advantages of component-based development with a more streamlined and flexible approach.

Cons of the migration process:

01
Compatibility issues: Migrating from AngularJS to Vue involves rebuilding the existing codebase, which can be time-consuming and challenging. There may be compatibility problems with third-party libraries or custom directives that need to be addressed during the migration process.
02
Tooling and ecosystem differences: AngularJS has its own set of tools, libraries, and ecosystem built around it, which may not have direct counterparts in the Vue ecosystem. This can lead to the need for modifications in the development workflow and the adoption of new tools and libraries.
03
Migration complexity: Depending on the size and complexity of the existing AngularJS application, the migration process can be complex and require meticulous planning. It may be necessary to incrementally migrate components and features, leading to a mixed codebase during the transition phase.

Pros and cons of migrating to React

Benefits after migrating

01
Performance and scalability: React is renowned for its performance optimizations, such as the virtual DOM, which can lead to faster rendering and improved overall performance compared to AngularJS. React's component-based architecture also promotes scalability, allowing for effective handling of large and complex applications.
02
Flexibility and modularity: React provides a high degree of flexibility, allowing developers to choose libraries and tools according to their needs. The component-based nature of React enables enhanced code organization, reusability, and maintainability. React's unidirectional data flow and the use of pure functions for components also promote simplified testing and debugging.
03
Larger community and ecosystem: React has a vast and active community, which means a wealth of resources, libraries, and support available. This expansive ecosystem makes it easier to find solutions to common problems, integrate with other tools and frameworks, and stay up to date with best practices.
04
Improved developer experience: React has a moderate learning curve, especially for developers already familiar with JavaScript. The declarative nature of React simplifies the development process, and the availability of tools like React Developer Tools enhances productivity and eases debugging.

Cons of the migration process:

01
Rewriting and time consumption: Migrating from AngularJS to React typically involves a complete rewrite of the application. This process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, developers who are accustomed to AngularJS will need to learn React and its ecosystem, which may require extra training and adaptation time.
02
Tooling and ecosystem differences: AngularJS and React have different tooling and ecosystem support. This means that developers will need to adapt to distinct development workflows, build systems, and libraries specific to React.

And if you really need to stay with AngularJS, you can always rely on the helping hand of a third-party company, like XLTS, which currently plans to provide support for AngularJS through at least 2026. Remember that it is not a perfect solution, but when you have a stable application and no need for growth, it may suffice for a while.

But let's face it, there is only one business-oriented solution on the table, and it is migration. The sooner, the better.

I've shown that there are pros and cons to every technology you will use, but most of them sum up to the problem with the learning curve, tools, and ecosystem differences (even in the case of Angular).

The solution can be a hybrid migration, and I know from experience how it works because we did it for our clients with success.

It really works! - A case study

on how Circus Street switched from AngularJS to React without losing momentum. To demonstrate how you can smoothly transition without losing momentum, I present to you a real-life example where we migrated an entire e-learning platform for our client, Circus Street. They are a provider of online training in digital skills, specifically designed for global enterprises.

Needs and problems

Circus Street approached us for help in maintaining their main web application, which was built on AngularJS. However, the imminent end of support for AngularJS in 2022 posed a problem for Circus Street, as they needed a solution that would allow them to introduce new features quickly without affecting the quality of service for their clients. We identified several pain points in Circus Street's application. The monolithic structure and outdated version of AngularJS made it challenging to implement changes efficiently. Additionally, the interconnectedness of the web and mobile applications meant that fixing one required addressing both simultaneously. The code structure also lacked flexibility, leading to longer implementation times for changes and fixes.

Solution and results

To address these issues, Bitnoise proposed using React, a technology Circus Street was already familiar with. They considered two approaches: rewriting the entire application at once or using the Strangler Pattern to migrate gradually. The latter approach was chosen, allowing Bitnoise to rewrite AngularJS components into React and progressively replace the old code. This process started with smaller components and culminated in replacing the AngularJS core, resulting in a seamlessly functioning final product.

The achievements of the project included separating the mobile and desktop code for independent management, converting all AngularJS code to React and Redux, writing more flexible and maintainable code, implementing comprehensive tests and documentation, and facilitating onboarding for new developers.

As a result of Bitnoise's efforts, Circus Street successfully upgraded their application, meeting the deadline for the end of AngularJS support.

You can find the full case study under the link: Circus Street .

How to plan a switch from AngularJS to React - most important steps and takeaways

I assume that we are now on the same page regarding the migration to React. I've presented a case study from a successful project and highlighted a pain point our client experienced before switching to React. Let's summarize the general steps necessary for the transition. Please bear in mind that this is just an overview, as a fully technical manual is a topic for another article.

01
Plan and analyze the migration: before diving into the migration process, it's crucial to plan and analyze the existing AngularJS application thoroughly. Evaluate the application's structure, components, dependencies, and complexity. Identify any potential challenges and prioritize the components that require migration. This step helps in creating a well-defined roadmap for the migration process.
02
Understand React fundamentals: familiarize yourself with React concepts and principles. Understand how React handles component-based architecture, state management, routing, and rendering. This step ensures a smoother transition and helps you make knowledgeable decisions while rewriting AngularJS components in React.
03
Rewrite AngularJS components in React: initiate migrating individual components from AngularJS to React. Commence with less complex components and gradually move to more complex ones. Divide larger components into smaller, reusable React components. Utilize React's virtual DOM and JSX syntax to rebuild the functionality and UI of AngularJS components in React.
04
Migrate data and state management: AngularJS uses two-way data binding, while React follows a unidirectional data flow. Choose an appropriate state management solution for your React application, such as React's built-in state management (useState) or a more advanced library like Redux or MobX. Migrate the data and state management logic from AngularJS to the chosen React state management solution.
05
Test and refactor: thoroughly test the migrated components and functionalities to ensure they work as expected in the React environment. Use unit testing frameworks like Jest or Enzyme to write tests for your React components. This step helps uncover any issues or bugs that might have arisen during the migration process. Revise the code if necessary, applying React best practices and optimizing performance.

Conclusion

The time to switch from AngularJS to React is now. This decision is driven by several compelling factors, including:

AngularJS's official support ended in January 2022.
React is leading in popularity among web frameworks, according to the Stack Overflow Annual Developer Survey 2023.
React's benefits, such as improved performance, scalability, flexibility, and a thriving ecosystem, make it an attractive choice for developers and businesses.
React Native offers a smooth transition for those looking to expand into mobile app development.

Of course, there are drawbacks to migration, including the learning curve and potential breakages. However, these challenges can be overcome with careful planning and gradual migration approaches.

Transitioning from AngularJS to React is not only necessary due to the end of support for AngularJS, but it also offers significant advantages in terms of developer preference, improved productivity, and mobile app development.