I aim to implement Client-Side Routing, where the local browser application (client) manages URL changes without sending requests to the server. Upon initial navigation to a site, the server provides the necessary content for page rendering. Subsequent URL changes are processed locally by the client application.
This usually involves one or more API requests to fetch the required information for displaying the new page. The server only sends one page, and any subsequent alterations are managed by the client, giving rise to the term ‘Single Page Application
React Routing
In React routing, various libraries exist, including Reach Router, React Router, Wolter, and React Navigation. However, for this article, I will focus on React Router. This choice is influenced by its status as the most extensively adopted routing library for React, boasting over 49,000 stars on GitHub.
React Router
To gain a better grasp of React Router’s functionality, I am going to build a basic React application. This app will consist of four main components: the Home component, the About component, the Contact component and the NotFound component.
These components are to be imported into the file where they are to be implemented, in this case, I am using the App component. By implementing React Router, I’ll be able to smoothly transition between these components.
Angular Routing
There are several Angular routing libraries, such as angular-router, routerkit, routeshub, ngext, ui-router/angular, aop-routing, ngx-router, and route-path-builder. I will focus on Angular Router.
Angular Router
This is the official routing library provided by Angular. It’s a comprehensive and powerful routing solution that is widely used in the Angular community. It supports features like lazy loading, route guards, and nested routes.
I am going to provide an equivalent Angular code for the React routing application.
I have explored how to create simple routes in both Angular and React. While the fundamental concepts of routing remain similar, there’s a notable difference in the number of files involved.
In React, setting up basic routing is straightforward, typically requiring minimal configuration. However, in Angular, the routing process involves multiple files and a dedicated routing module. This distinction underscores Angular’s emphasis on modularity and organization.
Both frameworks provide effective solutions for client-side routing, with React offering simplicity and Angular offering a structured approach. Understanding these distinctions can help developers make informed choices when deciding on the right routing approach for their projects.
