Setting Up Angular CLI

1. Introduction to Angular CLI

Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of creating, managing, and deploying Angular applications. It provides a set of commands that help developers scaffold projects, generate components, services, and other Angular entities, and run development servers.

2. Key Concepts

2.1 Node.js and npm

Before setting up Angular CLI, you need to have Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) installed on your machine. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows you to run JavaScript on the server side, while npm is a package manager that helps you install and manage dependencies.

Think of Node.js as the engine that powers your car, and npm as the fuel that keeps it running. Without these, your Angular CLI won't function.

2.2 Installing Angular CLI

Once Node.js and npm are installed, you can install Angular CLI globally on your machine using the following command:

npm install -g @angular/cli

This command installs Angular CLI globally, meaning you can use it from any directory on your machine. Think of it as installing a universal remote control that works with any device in your house.

2.3 Creating a New Angular Project

After installing Angular CLI, you can create a new Angular project using the following command:

ng new my-angular-app

This command creates a new directory named "my-angular-app" and sets up a new Angular project with all the necessary files and configurations. Think of it as building a new house from scratch, complete with walls, doors, and windows.

2.4 Running the Development Server

Once the project is created, you can navigate to the project directory and start the development server using the following commands:

cd my-angular-app ng serve

The ng serve command compiles your Angular application and starts a development server. By default, the application will be available at http://localhost:4200/. Think of it as turning on the power and water supply in your new house so you can start living in it.

2.5 Generating Components, Services, and Other Entities

Angular CLI provides commands to generate various Angular entities such as components, services, directives, pipes, and more. For example, to generate a new component, you can use the following command:

ng generate component my-component

This command creates a new component named "my-component" with all the necessary files and configurations. Think of it as adding a new room to your house, complete with furniture and decorations.

3. Conclusion

Setting up Angular CLI is a straightforward process that involves installing Node.js and npm, installing Angular CLI, creating a new project, running the development server, and generating Angular entities. With Angular CLI, you can streamline the development process and focus on building your application's features.