Angular Modules vs Components

Angular is a popular JavaScript framework for developing client-side web applications. It is a robust and versatile platform utilized by a large number of developers and enterprises globally.

As a result, Angular provides two key elements to assist developers in creating powerful applications: Angular modules and components.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between Angular Modules and Components, as well as how to use each. We will also include examples to assist you in comprehending the ideas.

What are Angular Components?

A component in Angular stands in for a view and is in charge of managing user interactions and content rendering. A class and related templates that define the view’s appearance and layout are used to define it.

The smallest independent parts and the main building elements of an Angular application are called components. Through attributes and methods made available by the component class, they interact with the view and control particular areas of the screen.

Building dynamic and interactive applications requires the component class, which has the logic underlying the display, control user interactions, change the data model, and interact with other components or services.

Syntax:

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

@Component({
  selector: 'app-counter',
  template: "..."
  `
})
export class CounterComponent {
  code...
}

Example: The HTML code for an Angular component or module is typically split into two parts: the template and the class.

counter.component.ts

JavaScript

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

@Component({
selector: 'app-counter-feature',
templateUrl: './counter-feature.component.html',
styleUrls: ['./counter-feature.component.css'],
})
export class CounterFeatureComponent {
counterValue = 0;

increaseCounter() {
this.counterValue++;
}

decreaseCounter() {
this.counterValue--;
}
}

counter.component.html

HTML

<button (click)="increaseCounter()">
Increase
</button>
<div>{{ counterValue }}</div>
<button (click)="decreaseCounter()">
Decrease
</button>

counter.component.html

HTML

<div class="container">
<h1>Edureka</h1>
<h3>
Difference between Component and Module
</h3>
<app-counter> </app-counter>
</div>

app.component.ts

HTML

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

@Component({
selector: 'app-root',
templateUrl: './app.component.html',
styleUrls: ['./app.component.css'],
})
export class AppComponent {}

Explanation of the Code:

• The component’s metadata is defined by the @Component decorator, which is imported from @angular/core.
• Properties like selector, template, templateUrl, styles, and styleUrls are applied to the CounterComponent class.
• The component’s tag (app-counter) is specified by the selector, and its structure is defined by the template.
• The component’s styles are defined by styles/styleUrls, and templateUrl points to an external template file.
• The CounterComponent class has a count property to store and show the current count, as well as methods increment() and decrement() for button actions.

After discussing the essential elements of Angular components, let’s examine Angular Modules and their function in Angular applications.

What are Angular Modules?

Modules are used to aggregate related components and directives, as well as the services, pipelines, and other code on which they rely, into a single cohesive unit.

They help to structure the code and make it easy to reuse components and directives throughout the application.

It is defined using the Angular NgModule decorator, which accepts an object specifying the module’s components, directives, and other code.

NgModules are shared (independent) units in Angular applications. We have several types of modules:

Syntax:

import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
import { Components } from './counter.component';

@NgModule({
  declarations: [Components],
  imports: [],
  exports: [Components]
})
export class CounterModule { }

The module template in this instance is a straightforward HTML document. The module class defines the app-counter element, a custom element that stands in for the CounterComponent.

NgModule decorator, which accepts an object specifying the components, directives, and other code that the module includes, is used to define the module class.

In this example, the bootstrap array designates the CounterComponent as the root component that will be bootstrapped when the module is bootstrapped, while the declarations array lists the CounterComponent as a component of the module.

counter.module.ts:

JavaScript

import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
import { CounterComponent } from './counter.component';

@NgModule({
declarations: [CounterComponent],
exports: [CounterComponent]
})
export class CounterFeatureModule {}

app.module.ts

JavaScript

import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
import { BrowserModule } from '@angular/platform-browser';
import { MainAppComponent } from './app.component';
import { CounterFeatureComponent } from './counter/counter.component';

@NgModule({
imports: [BrowserModule],
declarations: [MainAppComponent, CounterFeatureComponent],
bootstrap: [MainAppComponent]
})
export class MainAppModule {}

Explanation of the Code:

• @NgModule Decorator: Defines module metadata and is imported from @angular/core.
• Regarding CounterModule: accepts an object that contains import, export, and declaration metadata.
• Declarations: Provides a list of the module’s directives and components, such as CounterComponent.
• Imports: Indicates dependencies; as no additional modules are imported, this field is empty.
• Exports: Provides a list of parts or instructions that other modules, like CounterComponent, can use.

Project Structure:

Output: The following output will be displayed for counter using component and module:

What’s the Difference Between an Angular Component and Module?

Now that we have a better knowledge of Angular Modules, let’s examine the differences between these components and modules.

Now that we have a better knowledge of Angular Modules, let’s examine the differences between these components and modules.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Angular framework’s essential components are Angular Modules and Components. While components manage user interactions and content display, modules organize linked parts and services. Developers can more easily construct reliable programs when they are aware of these distinctions.

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