AngularJS has been one of the leading open-source JavaScript frameworks for developing web applications for over a decade. Released in 2010, AngularJS was scheduled to reach its end-of-life (EOL) status on 31st December 2021. This was after a grace period; Google ceased long-term support for AngularJS. This means that Google stopped making patches or updates for AngularJS.
Nonetheless, AngularJS remains widely used today mainly because upgrading to its successor (Angular) is no easy task. It made web development more accessible by allowing engineers to build complex business applications. With the end of life for the framework, it’s vital that organizations still leveraging AngularJS start planning for the future. So then, what are the implications of the end-of-life status of AngularJS, and what are some available options moving forward?
Let’s get started!
What Are the Consequences of the End Of Life of AngularJS?
When an open source community’s – AngularJS in this case – long-term support reaches the end-of-life status (EOL), a couple of risks are expected.
First and foremost, the developers stop releasing frequent updates and patches. The responsibility to deal with issues, provide support, and fix bugs entirely falls on the internal teams. Many fail to realize the implications on a framework’s functionality, performance, and security when it’s unsupported. Your technical team will be in circumstances where compatibility issues arise, especially with newer software and web browser versions.
Regarding compatibility, we’ve witnessed how quickly the technological landscape shifts. Almost every day, new releases and updates to existing and novel software exist. AngularJS is widely used for web applications, and web browsers are some of the most updated software. This is to improve overall security and user experience. Web applications leveraging AngularJS will likely find incompatibilities with newer updates.
What happens when you try to run your code and realize it is no longer compatible with the newer platforms on the market? Your organization might find itself falling behind the competition. Evolving and keeping up with recent trends is essential for engaging and retaining your users.
Another consequence of AngularJS EOL is it inhibits the possibility of cross-platform support. Think about it; smartphones are taking over the future. Statistics show that over 14 billion mobile devices are operating worldwide today, and more than 6 billion smartphone users are around the globe. This is projected to grow in the future.
In today’s highly competitive market, you have to be able to provide cross-platform support. You will find that you can reach a wider clientele when you leverage smartphone users. With AngularJS users, it’s impossible to build mobile-responsive applications.
What are the Scenarios When a Framework has Reached the End of Life (EOL)?
Some organizations operate under high-security compliance standards. This means that using an unsupported framework is non-compliance with those standards. If a regulated organization is found using an unsupported framework, it could result in hefty fines for non-compliance. When a framework has reached EOL, organizations might have to abandon it to remain within the compliance standards or look for alternative support (usually third party).
Your human resource team might find it harder to recruit specialists when you still leverage AngularJS. The number of specialists who still actively use AngularJS is steadily diminishing. Many experts are switching to more sought-after options as technology decreases in popularity. The majority of AngularJS developers don’t want to continue using outdated approaches. EOL dealt a death blow to many organizations using the framework and their technical teams.
AngularJS has Reached its End of Life. What Should You Do?
For individuals and companies planning to develop new applications, choosing an option that is still actively supported is better. We have come across many people who ask us, “is JavaScript dying?” The answer is no; there are still several JavaScript options available that are fully supported, such as React, and Vue.js, just to mention a few. These alternatives will allow developers to create web applications that have reached EOL without limitations typical of AngularJS.
However, what if you already have existing applications using AngularJS? In this case, there are a couple of options that you could explore. The first is to continue using AngularJS, knowing the potential risks and the vulnerabilities involved. However, we don’t recommend doing this because of the implications highlighted earlier.
If You Continue to Use Angular JS, Then?
If you decide to continue using AngularJS, the best thing you can do is to get long-term third-party support. This involves regular updates and patches to ensure compliance and compatibility. XLTS.dev has committed to offering support for AngularJS through 2027, while OpenLogic has offered support for the framework through 2023.
The AngularJS end-of-life doesn’t mean that your organization needs to abandon an existing product; you can migrate the app to a new framework. This involves moving the modules and components to a new framework. The applications will require a couple of tweaks to ensure maximum compatibility and functionality. The transition might not be smooth, but it’s feasible and most likely the best option.
The company doesn’t have to change the existing app but only migrate the components to a supported framework.
Another option if you have an existing app is to rewrite your application using a different framework. For example, AngularJS users might decide to shift to the new Typescript-based successor Angular. This means that the code written in JavaScript will have to be rewritten in Typescript. This is almost the equivalent of building the application from scratch on a new framework.
Many consider this option controversial, even with its pros and cons. This is attributed to the time and resources needed to rewrite the application and the benefits of newer technology. Rewriting is better with small and straightforward applications because complex applications might also wrack your nerves and your technical team’s.
Summing It Up
The worst thing that can happen to an organization is finding that it must change its entire tech stack to continue operating normally. It’s better when you start preparing earlier rather than waiting until you have no options available. The end of the life of AngularJS means that companies have to look for a lasting solution even though there are third parties offering support. It is only a matter of time until change catches up, and one thing about change; it’s inevitable.
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