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Upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7: What You Need to Know

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Introduction

In this blog post, we will discuss the process of upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7. Upgrading to the latest version of Angular is important as it brings new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes that can improve the overall quality and efficiency of your application. By staying updated with Angular releases, you can take advantage of the latest advancements in the framework and ensure compatibility with future updates.

Understanding Angular 7

Angular 7 comes with several key features and improvements that enhance the development experience. Some of these notable updates include:

  • Angular CLI v7: Angular CLI has been updated to version 7, providing developers with new commands and options to streamline the development process. This includes features like Angular CLI prompts, which help generate code more efficiently.

  • Angular Material v7: Angular Material, the UI component library for Angular, has also undergone updates in version 7. It now includes new components and features, such as the new drag and drop module, virtual scrolling, and improved accessibility support.

  • Performance enhancements: Angular 7 introduces several performance improvements, such as the new rendering engine called Ivy. Ivy aims to reduce bundle size, improve compilation times, and enhance runtime performance.

  • Project updates with improved error messages: Angular 7 provides better error messages, making it easier to identify and resolve issues during development. These improved error messages help developers understand the root cause of errors and provide more actionable insights.

Overall, Angular 7 brings significant improvements to the framework, making it more powerful, efficient, and user-friendly. These updates contribute to a smoother development process and better performance for Angular applications.

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before beginning the upgrade process from Angular 6 to Angular 7, it is important to prepare your codebase and ensure compatibility with the new version. This section will guide you through the necessary steps to prepare for the upgrade.

Ensuring Compatibility

The first step in preparing for the upgrade is to check your Angular 6 codebase for any potential issues or incompatibilities. This can be done by running your existing code and identifying any deprecated APIs or features that need to be updated. It is also recommended to review the official Angular documentation and release notes for Angular 7 to understand any breaking changes that may affect your code.

Once you have identified any areas that need to be updated, you can start by updating your dependencies to their latest compatible versions. This includes updating Angular packages, third-party libraries, and any other dependencies used in your project. This ensures that your codebase is compatible with Angular 7 and takes advantage of any bug fixes or performance enhancements introduced in the new version.

Backup and Version Control

Before proceeding with the upgrade, it is crucial to create a backup of your codebase. This allows you to revert back to the previous version in case any issues arise during the upgrade process. Creating a backup ensures that you have a safe copy of your code and minimizes the risk of losing any important changes.

In addition to creating a backup, it is also recommended to use a version control system, such as Git, to track changes and manage your codebase. Version control allows you to easily revert back to previous versions, collaborate with team members, and track any modifications made during the upgrade process. By utilizing version control, you can effectively manage the upgrade and have a clear history of changes made to your codebase.

By ensuring compatibility and creating backups with version control, you are well-prepared to proceed with the upgrade from Angular 6 to Angular 7. These steps help mitigate any potential risks and provide a safety net in case any issues arise during the upgrade process.

The Upgrade Process

To upgrade from Angular 6 to Angular 7, you will need to follow a step-by-step process. Here is a guide to help you through the upgrade:

  1. Update Angular CLI: Start by updating your Angular CLI to the latest version. You can do this by running the command ng update @angular/cli in your project directory. This will update the CLI to the latest version compatible with Angular 7.

  2. Update Angular packages: Next, update the Angular packages in your project. Run the command ng update @angular/core to update the core Angular packages to version 7. This will update all the necessary dependencies in your project.

  3. Update RxJS and TypeScript versions: Angular 7 requires a minimum version of RxJS 6.3 and TypeScript 3.1. Make sure to update these packages in your project. You can do this by running the command ng update rxjs and ng update typescript respectively.

  4. Handle breaking changes: Angular 7 introduces some breaking changes that may require you to make updates to your code. Two common areas where you may need to make changes are Angular Material compatibility and HttpClient API.

    • Angular Material compatibility changes: Angular 7 introduces some changes to the Angular Material API. You may need to update your code to adapt to the new APIs. Refer to the Angular Material documentation for more information on the changes and how to update your code.

    • HttpClient API changes: Angular 7 introduces some changes to the HttpClient API. You may need to update your code to use the new API methods and handle any deprecations. Refer to the Angular documentation for more information on the HttpClient changes.

By following these steps and addressing any breaking changes, you should be able to successfully upgrade your Angular 6 project to Angular 7. It is important to thoroughly test your application after the upgrade to ensure everything is working as expected.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

During the upgrade process from Angular 6 to Angular 7, you may encounter some potential issues. Here are some common errors that you might come across and some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them.

One common issue that developers face during the upgrade is compatibility issues with third-party libraries or dependencies. It is important to ensure that all your dependencies are compatible with Angular 7. You can check the compatibility of your dependencies by referring to their documentation or by reaching out to the library maintainers.

Another common error is related to breaking changes in Angular itself. Angular 7 introduces some changes that might require modifications to your existing code. For example, there might be changes in the way Angular Material components are used or in the HttpClient API. It is important to carefully review the release notes and documentation provided by Angular to identify any potential breaking changes and make the necessary adjustments to your code.

When encountering errors during the upgrade process, it is important to use effective debugging techniques to identify the root cause. The Angular CLI provides helpful error messages that can guide you in resolving issues. You can use the console.log() function to log relevant information and track the flow of your code. Additionally, tools like Angular Augury can help you analyze and debug your application's performance.

In order to ensure a smooth upgrade, it is recommended to thoroughly test your application before deploying it to production. This includes testing all the functionalities of your application and checking if there are any issues or errors. By performing comprehensive testing, you can identify and fix any issues early on, minimizing the impact on your users.

By following these troubleshooting tips and best practices, you can overcome common issues during the upgrade process and ensure a smooth transition from Angular 6 to Angular 7.

Best Practices for Upgrade

When upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7, it is important to follow best practices to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some recommended practices:

  1. Follow Angular's official upgrade guide: Angular provides a comprehensive upgrade guide that outlines the step-by-step process of upgrading from one version to another. It is important to carefully follow this guide to ensure that all necessary changes are made and compatibility issues are addressed.

  2. Use automated tools for code conversion: There are several automated tools available that can help with the code conversion process. These tools can analyze your Angular 6 codebase and suggest changes or automatically make the necessary updates to align with Angular 7 syntax and features. Using such tools can save time and effort during the upgrade process.

  3. Test thoroughly before deploying to production: After upgrading to Angular 7, it is essential to thoroughly test your application to ensure that all functionalities are working as expected. Conducting comprehensive testing, including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests, can help identify any issues or regressions that may have occurred during the upgrade process.

  4. Continuous integration and deployment practices: Implementing continuous integration and deployment practices can greatly streamline the upgrade process. By automating the build, testing, and deployment pipelines, you can ensure that any future upgrades can be easily managed and deployed with minimal manual intervention.

Following these best practices can help ensure a successful and efficient upgrade from Angular 6 to Angular 7, minimizing any disruptions to your application and maximizing the benefits of the latest Angular version.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the process of upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7. We discussed the key features and improvements in Angular 7, such as Angular CLI v7, Angular Material v7, performance enhancements, and improved error messages.

To prepare for the upgrade, it is crucial to ensure compatibility by checking the Angular 6 codebase and updating dependencies. Additionally, backing up the codebase and using a version control system are essential steps to prevent any loss of work during the upgrade process.

We provided a step-by-step guide to upgrading Angular 6 to Angular 7, including updating Angular CLI, Angular packages, RxJS, and TypeScript versions. We also highlighted the importance of handling breaking changes, such as Angular Material compatibility changes and HttpClient API changes.

Common issues and troubleshooting techniques were explored to help overcome any potential obstacles during the upgrade process. It is crucial to thoroughly test the upgraded codebase before deploying to production and to follow best practices for continuous integration and deployment.

In conclusion, staying updated with Angular releases, such as upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7, is essential to leverage new features, improvements, and bug fixes. By following the upgrade process, troubleshooting common issues, and adhering to best practices, developers can ensure a smooth transition to the latest version of Angular and take advantage of its benefits.

Additional Resources:

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources that you can refer to for more information on upgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 7:

  • Official Angular Documentation: The official Angular documentation is a great place to start. It provides detailed information on the upgrade process and includes step-by-step guides, migration tips, and best practices. You can find the documentation at angular.io.

  • Angular Update Guide: The Angular Update Guide is a comprehensive resource that outlines the recommended steps for upgrading Angular versions. It covers all the necessary changes and dependencies that need to be updated. You can access the guide at update.angular.io.

  • Blog Posts and Tutorials: There are several blogs and tutorials available online that provide insights and tips on upgrading to Angular 7. These resources can be helpful in understanding common issues, troubleshooting techniques, and best practices. Some popular blogs and tutorial websites include Medium, Angular In Depth, and Scotch.io. A simple search on these platforms can yield a wide range of articles and tutorials.

Remember to always refer to official documentation and trusted sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on upgrading to Angular 7.