Comprehensive Guide to Updating Angular Project

Keeping your Angular project up-to-date with the latest versions is crucial for maintaining security, stability, and performance. However, navigating through the update process can be daunting, especially with the myriad of dependencies and compatibility concerns. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a detailed step-by-step process to seamlessly update your Angular project while ensuring compatibility with various packages and dependencies.

1. Verify Your Angular Version

Before diving into the update process, it’s essential to know which Angular version your project is currently using.

Open your terminal and run the following command: ng version

This command will display detailed information about the Angular CLI, Angular core, and other related packages installed in your project.

2. Manage Node.js Versions

Managing Node.js versions is crucial to ensure compatibility with different Angular versions. Utilise a version manager like nvm to switch between Node.js versions seamlessly. This ensures that each update is performed in an environment that supports the required Node.js version.

3. Incremental Angular Update

Angular updates are typically incremental, and it’s recommended to update Angular CLI and Angular Core versions separately.

Execute the following command to incrementally update Angular CLI and Angular Core:

ng update @angular/cli@version @angular/core@version –force

Replace version with the desired version number. The –force flag ensures that the update process continues even if warnings are encountered.

4. Verify Package Versions in package.json

After the update, it’s essential to verify that the versions in your package.json file have been updated accordingly. Angular CLI and Core versions should reflect the latest updates to ensure consistency across your project.

5. Automatic Package Updates

Some packages may automatically update to remain compatible with the new Angular version. However, it’s crucial to review and test these updates thoroughly to ensure they don’t introduce any breaking changes.

6. Update Specific Packages

Certain packages in your project may require manual updates to ensure compatibility with the latest Angular version. Consult the Angular documentation or package repositories to identify compatible versions for the following packages:

@angular-slider/ngx-slider
@angular/animations
@angular/cdk
@angular/common
@angular/compiler
@angular/core
@angular/forms
@angular/http
@angular/material
@angular/platform-browser
@angular/platform-browser-dynamic
@angular/router
@ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap
@ngrx/store
@angular-devkit/build-angular
@angular/compiler-cli
@angular/language-service
Typescript
rxjs

7. Individual Package Updates

For packages that require manual updates, use the following command to update them individually:

ng update @package@version –force

Replace package with the package name and version with the desired version number.

8. Verify and Update Key Packages

Ensure that critical packages such as “angular-devkit/build-angular,” “typescript,” and “rxjs” are updated to versions compatible with the current Angular version. This step is essential to maintain stability and prevent compatibility issues.

9. Restart Terminal and Verify Updates

After updating packages, close and reopen your terminal to ensure that all updates are applied correctly. Once the terminal is restarted, verify the Angular version again using the ng version command.

10. Address Deprecated or Incompatible Libraries

During the update process, you may encounter deprecated or incompatible libraries. Take the time to address these issues by updating them to their latest versions or seeking alternative solutions.

11. Start Development Server

Once all updates are applied, start the development server using the following command:

ng serve

This command will compile your project and launch a development server. Ensure that your project builds without any errors or warnings.

12. Resolve Compilation Errors

If you encounter compilation errors, address them systematically by resolving each error one by one. Compile your project frequently to ensure that no new errors are introduced during the resolution process.

13. Verify Homepage Appearance

Visit your project’s localhost URL to verify the appearance and functionality of the homepage. Check for any layout inconsistencies or unexpected behaviour introduced by the updates.

14. Troubleshooting

If you encounter runtime errors or package issues during testing, troubleshoot them systematically. Refer to error messages and documentation to identify the root cause and implement necessary fixes.

15. Functional Testing

Thoroughly test each page and functionality of your application to ensure that all features work as expected. Pay special attention to areas that were updated or modified during the update process.

16. Repeat the Update Process

Updating your Angular project is an iterative process. As new Angular versions are released, repeat the update process outlined in this guide to keep your project up-to-date. Ensure that your project remains stable and behaves as expected at each step of the update process.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently update your Angular project to the latest version while ensuring compatibility and stability across your entire application.