Migrating from AngularJs(1.
x) to Angular(2+)
1. Introduction
AngularJS, launched by Google in 2010, revolutionized the way developers built dynamic
single-page applications (SPAs). It introduced concepts like two-way data binding,
dependency injection, and modular JavaScript, enabling rapid front-end development.
However, as applications grew larger and more complex, AngularJS began to reveal
limitations — especially regarding scalability, maintainability, and performance.
To overcome these challenges, Google completely rewrote AngularJS and released Angular 2
(and later versions, collectively referred to as Angular 2+ or simply Angular). Unlike
AngularJS, Angular is built on TypeScript, embraces a component-based architecture, and
delivers significant performance improvements through features like Ahead-of-Time (AOT)
compilation and enhanced change detection.
2. Key Differences Between AngularJS and Angular
Feature AngularJS (1.x) Angular (2+)
Language JavaScript TypeScript
Architecture MVC / MVVM Component-based
Mobile Support Limited Native mobile support
(Ionic, NativeScript)
Dependency Injection Limited Hierarchical and powerful
Performance Digest cycle, watchers Change detection with zones
Routing $routeProvider, ui-router Angular Router with lazy
loading
Tooling Manual build setup Angular CLI, AOT
compilation, tree shaking
3. Migration Strategies
3.1 Full Rewrite
Description: Rewrite the entire AngularJS application in Angular from scratch.
Pros:
o Clean, modern codebase without legacy technical debt
o Leverages latest Angular features fully
Cons:
o Time-consuming and costly for large applications
o Risk of losing existing functionality during rewrite
Use Case: Small to medium applications, or when budget and time permit a full
overhaul.
SIT, Mangalore |1
Migrating from AngularJs(1.x) to Angular(2+)
3.2 Hybrid Approach Using @angular/upgrade
Description: Run AngularJS and Angular code side-by-side in a hybrid application
using the Angular Upgrade Module.
Pros:
o Incremental migration — migrate component-by-component
o Reduced risk by keeping legacy code functional during transition
Cons:
o Hybrid apps include both AngularJS and Angular runtimes, potentially
impacting performance
Use Case: Large applications where full rewrite is impractical.
4. Steps in Hybrid Migration
Step 1: Prepare AngularJS Application
Upgrade AngularJS to the latest stable version (1.7.x), which includes long-term
support and fixes.
Modularize the app by using component() instead of the older controller syntax.
Migrate from $scope to the controller-as syntax to simplify component logic.
Gradually incorporate ES6 or TypeScript for better maintainability.
Refactor monolithic controllers and services into smaller, reusable services and
components.
Step 2: Set Up Angular Environment
Use Angular CLI to scaffold a new Angular project.
Add the @angular/upgrade package to enable hybrid capabilities.
Create a root Angular module that bootstraps the hybrid application using
UpgradeModule:
import { UpgradeModule } from '@angular/upgrade/static';
import { platformBrowserDynamic } from '@angular/platform-browser-dynamic';
platformBrowserDynamic().bootstrapModule(AppModule).then(platformRef => {
const upgrade = [Link](UpgradeModule) as UpgradeModule;
[Link]([Link], ['yourAppModule'], { strictDi: true });
});
SIT, Mangalore |2
Migrating from AngularJs(1.x) to Angular(2+)
Step 3: Bridge Services and Components
Downgrade Angular services/components to use them in AngularJS:
[Link]('yourApp').factory('myService', downgradeInjectable(MyService));
Upgrade AngularJS components/services to be usable in Angular:
@NgModule({
declarations: [MyComponent],
entryComponents: [MyComponent]
})
export class AppModule {
constructor(private upgrade: UpgradeModule) {
[Link]([Link], ['yourApp']);
}
}
Step 4: Incremental Migration
Migrate components, services, and modules incrementally.
Replace AngularJS routing with Angular Router progressively.
Remove AngularJS dependencies as you migrate corresponding parts.
Step 5: Final Transition
After all AngularJS code is migrated, remove the @angular/upgrade module.
Convert the app into a pure Angular application.
Refactor and optimize using Angular’s latest best practices.
5. Challenges During Migration
Challenge Description
Code Complexity Large, tightly coupled AngularJS codebases
complicate isolation of components for
migration.
Third-party Dependencies Some AngularJS-specific or legacy libraries
may not work with Angular.
Team Skills Teams must learn TypeScript, Angular
concepts, RxJS, and Angular CLI tooling.
Time & Cost Migration can extend development
timelines and increase costs.
Performance Overhead Hybrid apps load two frameworks
simultaneously, affecting load times and
runtime performance.
SIT, Mangalore |3
Migrating from AngularJs(1.x) to Angular(2+)
6. Best Practices for Migration
Start migration with a pilot module or less complex area of the application.
Maintain a clear migration roadmap with milestones and goals.
Write and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure features continue to work
correctly.
Use shared services to enable communication between AngularJS and Angular
components.
Prefer feature-based incremental migration rather than restructuring the entire app.
Invest in training the development team on TypeScript, Angular CLI, and reactive
programming with RxJS.
7. Real-World Example: Upgrading an E-Commerce Platform
A large retail company operated an e-commerce platform built with AngularJS, suffering
from performance issues and outdated tooling.
Migration Process
Adopted the hybrid approach using @angular/upgrade.
Migrated core services like AuthService and CartService first to stabilize critical
functionality.
Gradually rewrote key user-facing modules, such as product listings and checkout
flows, in Angular.
Eventually removed all AngularJS code and embraced Angular Material, RxJS, and
CLI tooling.
Results
Achieved a 40% improvement in page load times.
Enhanced maintainability and reduced technical debt.
Improved developer productivity and streamlined onboarding of new team members.
8. Conclusion
Migrating from AngularJS (1.x) to Angular (2+) is an essential step in modernizing legacy
web applications. Despite the complexity and challenges, the benefits—better performance,
improved maintainability, scalable architecture, and modern tooling—make the migration
worthwhile.
A hybrid migration approach facilitates a smoother transition, enabling large applications to
migrate incrementally without disrupting ongoing operations. By following best practices,
planning carefully, and investing in team training, organizations can future-proof their
applications and fully leverage the modern Angular ecosystem.
SIT, Mangalore |4
