A Step-by-Step Process to Convert from Angular to HTML

Transitioning from Angular to Pure HTML: A Developer's Guide

As a web developer, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to transition from a robust framework like Angular to pure HTML. This could be due to various reasons such as project requirements, performance optimization, or the need for a simpler solution without the overhead of a full-fledged framework. Angular, known for its powerful features and single-page application capabilities, might be overkill for smaller projects or static pages where pure HTML can suffice. In this article, we'll explore the key differences between Angular and HTML and provide a guide on how to convert an Angular application to a static HTML site.

Understanding the Differences

Before diving into the conversion process, it's important to understand the fundamental differences between Angular and HTML. Angular is a TypeScript-based open-source web application framework led by the Angular Team at Google. It's a part of the JavaScript ecosystem and is used to build dynamic, single-page web applications (SPAs). On the other hand, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard markup language for documents designed to be displayed in a web browser. It can be used to create static pages without the need for any additional scripting.

Aspect	Angular	HTML
Type	Framework	Markup Language
Language Base	TypeScript/JavaScript	HTML
Use Case	Dynamic SPAs	Static Pages
Complexity	High (for large applications)	Low (for simple content)
Learning Curve	Steep	Gentle

Converting Angular to HTML

The conversion process involves extracting the static parts of your Angular application and rewriting any dynamic logic into plain JavaScript if necessary. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Identify the static components in your Angular application that can be directly translated into HTML.
Extract the HTML templates from Angular components.
Remove Angular-specific attributes and directives from the templates.
Recreate the dynamic parts using vanilla JavaScript if interactivity is required.
Link any necessary CSS and JavaScript files to your HTML document.

Comparing Syntax

To better understand the conversion process, let's compare the syntax of Angular and HTML for a simple component.

Feature	Angular	HTML
Component Definition	@Component({...})	N/A
Data Binding	{{ data }}	N/A
Event Binding	(click)="doSomething()"	onclick="doSomething()"
Structural Directives	ngFor, ngIf	N/A
Attribute Directives	[ngClass], [ngStyle]	class, style

Example Conversion

Below is an example of how an Angular component's template might be converted to HTML.

Angular Component Template:


<div>
  <h2>{{ title }}</h2>
  <ul>
    <li *ngFor="let item of items">{{ item }}</li>
  </ul>
</div>

Converted HTML:


<div>
  <h2>My Title</h2>
  <ul>
    <li>Item 1</li>
    <li>Item 2</li>
    <li>Item 3</li>
  </ul>
</div>

Conclusion

Converting an Angular application to pure HTML can be a straightforward process, especially for static content. However, it's important to carefully consider the need for interactivity and how to handle it without Angular's features. By following the steps outlined in this guide and understanding the differences in syntax, you can successfully transition your web application from Angular to HTML, ensuring it meets the requirements of your project or use case.

Angular to HTML Conversion Checklist

Initial Setup

Ensure you have a basic understanding of HTML structure and syntax.
Set up your HTML file with the necessary doctype and meta tags.
Remove Angular-specific tags and attributes, such as <app-root></app-root> and *ngIf, *ngFor.

Components Conversion

Identify all Angular components that need to be converted.
Replace Angular component selectors with corresponding HTML tags.
Transfer inline styles from Angular components to a separate CSS file.
Convert Angular templates to HTML, ensuring to replace data bindings and directives with static content or appropriate JavaScript code.

Services and Dependency Injection

Identify services that are being used to fetch data or perform logic.
Replace Angular services with vanilla JavaScript functions or objects.
Remove any dependency injection and manually manage dependencies.

Routing

Remove Angular Router and convert routes to static HTML pages or handle routing with vanilla JavaScript.
Update all links to point to the new static HTML pages.

Data Binding and Event Handling

Convert Angular data bindings to JavaScript DOM manipulation.
Replace Angular event bindings with vanilla JavaScript event listeners.
Ensure all dynamic data is properly displayed using JavaScript.

Forms and Validation

Convert Angular forms to standard HTML forms.
Implement form validation using HTML5 attributes or JavaScript.

State Management

Remove Angular-specific state management solutions like NgRx or services.
Implement state management using JavaScript variables or other libraries if necessary.

Testing

Remove Angular testing frameworks like Jasmine and Protractor.
Set up appropriate testing for your HTML and JavaScript, such as using Jest or Mocha.

Build and Deployment

Remove Angular CLI and replace with a simpler build process if needed, such as using Gulp or Webpack.
Update deployment scripts to handle plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.

Final Checks

Test the entire application to ensure all features work as expected.
Validate HTML to ensure it meets W3C standards.
Check for browser compatibility and responsiveness.
Optimize loading times by minifying CSS and JavaScript files.

Code Snippet Example

Here's an example of converting an Angular click event binding to vanilla JavaScript:


    <!-- Angular -->
    <button (click)="submitForm()">Submit</button>

    <!-- HTML with JavaScript -->
    <button id="submitBtn">Submit</button>
    <script>
      document.getElementById('submitBtn').addEventListener('click', function() {
        // Your form submission logic here
      });
    </script>

Options

Toggles