Master Angular Bootstrap: A Guide to Building Modern Web UIs

Introduction

Angular Bootstrap enables developers to create modern web applications more quickly and efficiently. This is through the combination of Bootstrap’s flexibility and responsiveness with the power of the Angular framework. Angular Bootstrap offers pre-designed UI components that work well with Angular applications that streamline the development. The slick design ideas of Bootstrap are applied to buttons, forms, navigation bars, and other components.

In this blog, you will learn how to install angular bootstrap, integrate, and leverage its components to create stunning user interfaces.

Overview

JavaScript, HTML, and CSS are the basis of the Bootstrap framework. Mostly, it is employed to make incredibly responsive and mobile-friendly web pages. Web development can be accelerated with this front-end framework.

All of the Bootstrap's design templates are built using HTML and CSS. These templates are utilized for buttons, tables, navigation, modals, fonts, picture carousels, and more. JavaScript plug-ins are another tool that Bootstrap uses to create responsive designs. The following sections will focus on how to import Bootstrap in Angular and more.

Defining the Angular Bootstrap Component

One element that launches or starts the Angular application is Angular Bootstrap. In essence, it manages the application's initialization procedure. The application is launched using the angular.bootstrap() function. The following provides the syntax:

angular.bootstrap(element, [modules], [config])

• DOM: The DOM element indicates the word ‘element’ in the syntax above. It can be any kind of file, document, or other structure that serves as the Angular application's foundation.

• Modules: The array of modules to be loaded, if any, is indicated by the word ‘modules’, which comes next.

• Config: Finally, ‘config’ refers to the configuration options.
  

This is How You Set Up Angular Bootstrap

Setting up the Angular environment and integrating Bootstrap and ng-bootstrap for smooth component usage are the first steps in creating an Angular Bootstrap project. Let's see how to add bootstrap to angular:

1. Install Angular CLI

• Ensure Node.js is Installed: Angular CLI requires Node.js to be installed on your system. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows you to run JavaScript code outside a web browser. You can download and install Node.js from the official website. Ensure you install the LTS (Long-Term Support) version for stability.

• Open Terminal or Command Prompt: Once Node.js is installed, open your terminal or command prompt. You can do this by searching for ‘Terminal’ (on macOS) or ‘Command Prompt’ (on Windows) in your system's search bar and selecting the appropriate application.

• Install Angular CLI Globally: In the terminal or command prompt, run the following command:

npm install -g @angular/cli

• npm install is a command-line tool used to install packages from the npm registry.
• -g flag indicates that the package should be installed globally, making it available as a command-line tool across your entire system.
• @angular/cli is the package name for Angular CLI.

• Wait for Installation to Complete: After running the command, npm will download and install Angular CLI with its dependencies. The installation process may take some time, depending on your internet speed.

• Verify Installation: Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Angular CLI has been installed successfully by running the following command:

ng version

This command displays the version of Angular CLI installed on your system with other relevant information such as the Angular version and Node.js version.

2. Create a New Angular Project

To create a new Angular Project, follow the steps given below:

• Open Terminal or Command Prompt: Ensure you have Angular CLI installed globally on your system by following the previous instructions. Open your terminal or command prompt.

• Navigate to Desired Directory: Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where you want to create your new Angular project. For example:

cd path/to/your/desired/directory

Replace path/to/your/desired/directory with the actual path to your desired directory.

• Create New Angular Project: Once you are in the desired directory, run the following command to create a new Angular project:

ng new my-angular-bootstrap-app

• ng new is a command by Angular CLI for creating new Angular projects.
• my-angular-bootstrap-app is the name of your Angular project. You can replace it with a name you prefer.

• Wait for Project Generation: Angular CLI will now generate a new Angular project named ‘my-angular-bootstrap-app’ in the specified directory. The command will create all essential files and configurations for the project based on the default Angular setup.

• Navigate into Project Directory (Optional): If you want to navigate into the newly created project directory, you can use the cd command:

cd my-angular-bootstrap-app

This command will move you into the directory containing your newly created Angular project.

Explore Your Project: Once the project is created, you can explore its contents using a code editor or file explorer. You will find various files and directories, including configuration files (angular.json, tsconfig.json), source code files (src directory), and dependencies (node_modules directory).

3. Install Bootstrap in Angular

• Navigate to Project Directory: Open your ‘Terminal’ or ‘Command’ prompt and change the directory to your newly created Angular project. You can do this by using the cd command followed by the name of your project directory. For example:

cd my-angular-bootstrap-app

Replace my-angular-bootstrap-app with the name of your Angular project directory.

• Install Bootstrap with npm: Once you are inside your Angular project directory, you can use npm (Node Package Manager) to install Bootstrap and its dependencies. Run the following command in your terminal:

npm install bootstrap

This command tells npm to download the Bootstrap package from the npm registry and install it in your project's node_modules directory. Additionally, npm will also install any dependencies required by Bootstrap.

• Wait for Installation to Complete: After running the npm install bootstrap command, npm will start downloading Bootstrap and its dependencies. The installation process may take a few moments depending on your internet connection speed and the package’s size.

Verify Installation: Once the installation is complete, npm will display a summary of the installed packages with any warnings or errors. You can also verify that Bootstrap has been successfully installed by checking the node_modules directory in your project. You should see a Bootstrap folder containing Bootstrap files and directories.

4. Import Bootstrap Styles

To use Bootstrap styles in your Angular project, import Bootstrap's CSS file into your application. Open the styles.scss file located in the src directory of your Angular project, and add the following import statement:

@import '~bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css';

This imports Bootstrap's CSS styles into your Angular application, allowing you to use Bootstrap's pre-designed components and styles.

5. Install ng-bootstrap

Ng-bootstrap provides Angular-specific implementations of Bootstrap components. Install ng-bootstrap by running npm install @ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap. This command adds ng-bootstrap to your project's dependencies, enabling you to use Angular Bootstrap components seamlessly.

6. Import NgbModule

After installing ng-bootstrap, import NgbModule from '@ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap' in your Angular module file (usually app.module.ts). Add the following import statement at the top of your module file:

import { NgbModule } from '@ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap';

Then, include NgbModule in the imports array of your module:

@NgModule({
declarations: [
// your components
],
imports: [
// other modules
NgbModule
],
providers: [],
bootstrap: [AppComponent]
})
export class AppModule { }

7. Start Using Bootstrap Components

Now that Bootstrap and ng-bootstrap are set up in your Angular project, you can use Bootstrap components in your Angular templates.

The Angular Bootstrap Tabs

Tabs are a common UI pattern used for organizing content into multiple sections within a single page. With Angular Bootstrap, implementing tabs is as simple as adding the <ngb-tabset> and <ngb-tab> elements to your template and specifying the content for each tab.

Bootstrap with Angular Material

Angular Bootstrap and Angular Material are popular frameworks for building user interfaces in Angular applications. While each framework offers its own set of UI components and design principles, developers often want to combine the strengths of both frameworks to create more versatile and visually appealing applications.

One way to achieve this is by seamlessly integrating Bootstrap with Angular Material. This integration allows developers to leverage the extensive library of UI components provided by Angular Material. It benefits from the responsive layout and styling capabilities of Bootstrap.

Here is how you can integrate Bootstrap with Angular Material:

• Install Angular Material: If you haven't already, start by installing Angular Material in your Angular project. You can do this using npm:

npm install @angular/material @angular/cdk

• Import Angular Material Modules: After installing Angular Material, import the necessary Angular Material modules into your Angular module file (usually app.module.ts).

• Import Angular Bootstrap (ng-bootstrap): Then, import the NgbModule from @ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap into your Angular module file. This module provides Angular-specific implementations of Bootstrap components:

import { NgbModule } from '@ng-bootstrap/ng-bootstrap';

• Include Modules in Imports Array: Make sure to include both Angular Material and ng-bootstrap modules in the imports array of your Angular module:

@NgModule({
declarations: [
// your components
],
imports: [
// other modules
MatButtonModule,
MatCardModule,
NgbModule
],
providers: [],
bootstrap: [AppComponent]
})
export class AppModule { }

Creating Responsive Layouts with Angular Bootstrap

Angular Bootstrap provides powerful tools for creating responsive layouts that adapt to various screen sizes and devices. Leveraging Bootstrap's grid system within Angular templates is key to achieving responsive designs. Here is how you can create responsive layouts with Angular Bootstrap:

1. Bootstrap Grid System: Bootstrap's grid system allows you to create responsive layouts by dividing the page into rows and columns. Within Angular templates, you can use Bootstrap's grid classes such as .container, .row, and .col-* to structure your layout.

Example:

<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">Column 1</div>
<div class="col-md-6">Column 2</div>
</div>
</div>

This creates a two-column layout where each column occupies half the container's width on medium-sized screens and above.

2. Optimizing Layout for Screen Sizes: Bootstrap provides responsive utility classes that allow you to show or hide content based on screen sizes. You can use classes such as .d-none, .d-sm-block, .d-md-none, etc., to control the visibility of elements on different devices.

Example:

<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">Column 1</div>
<div class="col-md-6 d-none d-md-block">Column 2 (visible on medium screens and above)</div>
</div>
</div>

In this example, the second column is hidden on small screens but becomes visible on medium-sized screens and above.

3. Integrating Angular Directives for Dynamic Content: Angular directives such as ngIf and ngFor can be combined with Bootstrap classes to dynamically render content based on data or user interactions, contributing to responsive layouts.

Example:

<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6" *ngFor="let item of items">
{{ item.name }}
</div>
</div>
</div>

This code dynamically generates columns based on the items in the items array, ensuring responsiveness to varying amounts of data.

Tips for Designing Responsive Interfaces

Here are some tips for designing a responsive interface:

• Prioritize Content: Ensure essential content is visible and accessible across all screen sizes.
• Test Across Devices: Use browser developer tools or device simulators to preview your layout on different devices and screen sizes.
• Use Breakpoints Wisely: Bootstrap's grid system allows you to define breakpoints for different screen sizes. Utilize these breakpoints effectively to create layouts that adapt gracefully.
  

Wrapping Up!

With the help of Angular Bootstrap, developers can easily create contemporary web applications with a robust toolkit. You can use Bootstrap in angular to create the most beautiful UI with minimal effort. With this tutorial, you will fully utilize Angular Bootstrap to design visually attractive user interfaces that captivate and please users. You will be extremely knowledgeable about installing and utilizing Bootstrap in Angular. Angular Bootstrap is an invaluable tool that may help you design sophisticated applications and expedite your development process, regardless of your experience level with Angular.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Angular better than Bootstrap?
   
   The Bootstrap and Angular functions are different. While Bootstrap is a CSS framework for making responsive web designs, Angular is a JavaScript framework for developing single-page applications. Direct comparisons between them might not be suitable. Nonetheless, by offering pre-designed UI elements and styles, Angular with Bootstrap can improve the creation of Angular applications.
   

2. Is Angular good for the future?
   
   Angular is a mature and robust framework maintained by Google with a strong ecosystem and community support. It continues to evolve with updates and improvements, making it suitable for building modern web applications and staying relevant in the future.
   

3. Why is Angular material better than Bootstrap?
   
   Angular Material is a UI component library specifically designed for Angular applications, providing a set of pre-designed and customizable UI components that adhere to Material Design principles. Compared to Bootstrap, Angular Material offers tighter integration with Angular, consistent theming, and seamless compatibility with Angular's features.
   

4. What is the difference between Bootstrap and ng-bootstrap?
   
   Bootstrap is a CSS framework developed by Twitter, providing pre-styled components and utilities for front-end development. Ng-bootstrap, on the other hand, is a library that offers Angular-specific implementations of Bootstrap components. Ng-bootstrap is designed to work seamlessly with Angular applications, providing native Angular components that integrate well with Angular's ecosystem.
   

5. Is Angular good for frontends?
   
   Yes, Angular is well-suited for building front-end applications, particularly single-page applications (SPAs), due to its robust features, such as two-way data binding, dependency injection, and component-based architecture. It offers tools and best practices for building scalable, maintainable, and performant front-end applications.