Angular utilizes the advanced capabilities of modern browsers to function efficiently. However, when dealing with older browser versions lacking these features, the solution lies in incorporating "polyfills" to bridge the gap and enable compatibility.
Issues arising from incompatible older browsers can be addressed through transpiling, which converts ES6 language syntax into a format compatible with ES5. In cases where certain functionalities like the Map
object in ES6 are required, polyfills become essential for enabling their usage in older browsers.
The Angular framework adheres to contemporary web standards, posing a challenge due to varying levels of support across different browsers. By loading specific polyfill scripts for targeted browsers, developers can ensure seamless functionality across platforms.
This strategic design approach ensures optimal performance in modern browsers while accommodating compatibility with older versions through additional efforts such as integrating polyfills.
In contrast, early iterations of jQuery opted for a different strategy by creating custom implementations of necessary features without relying on polyfills. This method proved to be less sustainable over time, leading to bloated code and issues with compliance with modern standards.
Certain functionalities within Angular rely on ES6 libraries, necessitating the use of polyfills even with transpilation. Developers have the autonomy to choose the level of support for older browsers and incorporate the relevant polyfills accordingly, as Angular does not automatically handle this process.