While it is technically accurate, the other responses could benefit from an explanation regarding Angular's URL-to-route matching process. It is crucial to understand how the router operates in order to fully comprehend what pathMatch: full entails.

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Let's start by defining some basic concepts using this URL as a reference point:

/users/james/articles?from=134#section

.

1. First and foremost, it is important to note that query parameters (?from=134) and fragments (#section) play no role in path matching. The only relevant component is the base URL (/users/james/articles).

2. Angular breaks down URLs into segments. In the case of /users/james/articles, the segments are users, james, and articles.

3. The router configuration follows a tree structure with a root node. Each Route object serves as a node, which may have child nodes or function as leaf nodes.

The primary objective of the router is to identify a route configuration branch, starting from the root node, that matches all (!!!) segments of the URL precisely. This aspect is critical! If Angular cannot locate a route configuration branch that aligns with the entire URL - without omissions or additions - nothing will be rendered.

For instance, if the target URL is /a/b/c, but the router can only match either /a/b or /a/b/c/d, there is no match, and the application remains inactive.

Ultimately, routes featuring redirectTo exhibit slightly different behavior compared to standard routes, making them the ideal scenario for implementing pathMatch: full. However, we will delve deeper into this concept later on.

Default (prefix) Path Matching

The rationale behind naming this strategy prefix stems from the fact that such a route configuration assesses whether the configured path constitutes a prefix of the remaining URL segments. Nevertheless, since the router is solely capable of matching complete segments, the nomenclature might seem somewhat misleading.

With that said, let's consider the root-level router configuration provided:

// Configuration

It is worth noting that every Route object mentioned here adheres to the default matching strategy, which is prefix. This approach necessitates iteratively scanning through the entire configuration tree and attempting to match it against the target URL segment by segment until a complete match is achieved. The following example illustrates how this would unfold:

1. Begin scanning the root array to find an exact match for the initial URL segment - users.
2. 'products' does not equate to 'users', hence skip that branch. It is important to highlight that an equality check is employed rather than utilizing methods like .startsWith() or .includes(); solely total segment matches are considered!
3. :other functions as a wildcard, signifying a match. Nonetheless, the URL has not been entirely matched at this stage (further segments like james and articles await matching), prompting the router to seek out children nodes.

• The lone descendant of :other pertains to tricks, which fails to correspond with 'james,' thus constituting a mismatch.

4. Subsequently, the router reverts back to the root array and continues onwards.
5. 'user' diverges from 'users', therefore sidestep the potential match.
6. 'users' indeed matches 'users.' Nevertheless, this match remains incomplete; consequently, further scrutiny for matching children transpires (akin to step 3).

• 'permissions' differs from 'james,' so disregard it.
• :userID encompasses anything, thereby resulting in a corresponding match for the 'james' segment. Despite this alignment, a comprehensive match is yet to occur; hence, the quest for a child capable of matching 'articles' ensues.
  1. A close examination reveals that :userID features a sub-route denoted as articles, culminating in a holistic match! Consequently, the application activates UserArticlesComponent.

Full URL (full) Matching

Example 1

Consider a modification where the users route configuration resembles the subsequent snippet:

// Revised Configuration

Note the integration of pathMatch: full. Should this scenario materialize, steps 1-5 persist unchanged, albeit a shift arises during step 6:

6. 'users' deviates from 'users/james/articles' – indicating non-alignment due to the users configuration bearing pathMatch: full, failing to mirror the complete URL ('users/james/articles').
7. In light of the absence of correspondence, navigate away from this branch.
8. At this juncture, the routing blueprint ends sans locating a suitable match. Henceforth, the application stands inert.

Example 2

If presented with the ensuing setup instead:

// Alternative Scenario

users/:userID augmented with pathMatch: full solely aligns with users/james, representing another mismatch precluding any rendering activity.

Example 3

Investigate the ensuing contrasts:

// Contrasting Context

In this specific context:

6. 'users' coincides with 'users', yet 'james/articles' persists unpaired. Subsequent perusal for children emerges.

• 'permissions' deviates from 'james,' exemplifying misalignment.
• :userID' exclusively corresponds with a solitary segment, specifically 'james.' Nonetheless, being a pathMatch: full pathway necessitating alignment with 'james/articles' (the residual URL magnitude), synchronization misses the mark – hence, unmatched status prevails (leading to bypassing this branch)!

7. Once more, the expedition falls short of achieving URL parity, leaving the application dormant.

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Observably, a pathMatch: full arrangement essentially articulates the following:

Neglect my descendants and focus solely on me. Should I fail to intercept all of the remaining URL segments independently, move forward.

Redirects

Any Route housing a designated redirectTo directive undergoes assessment based on identical tenets delineated earlier. Notwithstanding, the distinction lies in executing redirection once a segmental match transpires. Ergo, a situation whereby a redirect-enabled route abides by the default prefix strategy implies that even a partial match suffices to evoke redirection. Presented below is a prime illustration:

// Comprehensive Rendering Strategy

In relation to our original URL (/users/james/articles), the resultant sequence unfolds as follows:

1. 'not-found' conflicts with 'users,' warranting a dismissal.
2. 'users' coincides with 'users,' establishing a successful match.
3. The generated match incorporates a redirectTo: 'not-found' clause, instantly initiating the directed progression.
4. The destination URL transitions to not-found.
5. Rerouting commences, culminating in identifying an affinity with not-found. Consequently, NotFoundComponent takes precedence.

Now envisage the outcome had the users route also possessed pathMatch: full:

// Refined Scenario

1. 'not-found' lacks synchronicity with 'users,' warranting disregard.
2. users aligns with the initial segment of the URL. However, discord emerges due to the requisite full accord contained within the route configuration, denoting avoidance.
3. 'users/:userID' attunes itself to 'users/james'. Although 'articles' eludes correlation, offspring exist under this route.

• An association surfaces concerning articles amid the myriad of juveniles. Complete assimilation of the whole URL comes to fruition, birthing UserArticlesComponent.

Empty Path (path: '')

The empty path scenario constitutes a peculiar anomaly as it possesses the capacity to intersect any given segment devoid of consumption (resulting in necessitated conformity by their progeny). Consider the ensuing dialogue:

// Atypical Route Configuration

Mulling over an attempt to access /users:

• path: '' perpetually assures alignment, cementing the route's compatibility. Nevertheless, completion of the entire URL is pending—manifestation of resonance with 'users' awaits!
• Upon closer inspection, 'users' hosts a descendant analogous to the residual (and sole!) segment, marking seamless union and consequent engagement with BadUsersComponent.

Returning to the Initial Query

The originator proposed this router configuration:

// Specified Routing Blueprint

When navigating towards the root URL (/), the ensuing replication elucidates the router's resolution methodology:

1. 'welcome' fails to resonate with an insubstantial fragment, culminating in overlooking.
2. path: '' strikes harmonious accord with the void fragment. Aiding its cause is the presence of a pathMatch: 'full' specification, satisfying conditions indicative of total URL compliance (comprising a single vacant segment).
3. Consequent redirection directs traffic towards 'welcome,' subsequently activating WelcomeComponent.

Devoid of pathMatch: 'full' Specifications?

Expectantly, one presumes operations remain invariant across the board. Yet, Angular categorically prohibits an arrangement devoid of pathMatch: 'full' (e.g., {

path: '', redirectTo: 'welcome' }

) positioned anteriorly to 'welcome,' considering theoretical inception of ceaseless redirection loops. As a preemptive measure, Angular intervenes by unequivocally discarding such setups, effectively rendering the application non-functional! (https://angular.io/api/router/Route#pathMatch)

Addendum highlights an intrinsic safeguard within Angular curtailing perpetual redirects—only triggering a solitary redirection cycle for each routing tier! Such intervention forestalls additional redirection cascades (evinced in eventualities elaborated below).

Musings on path: '**'?

path: '**' universally embraces every conceivable entity (af/frewf/321532152/fsa validated inclusively) regardless of pathMatch: 'full' parameterization.

Furthermore, given its omniscient character, incorporation of the root path sanctions

{ path: '', redirectTo: 'welcome' }

redundant discourse within this frame.

Curiously, the subsequent deployment garners acceptance:

// Unconventional Deployment Example

Treading upon /welcome, alignment surfaces with the encompassing essence of path: '**', precipitating welcoming redirection. Conceptually enigmatic—an assumed indefinite loop beckons redirection endeavors nonetheless, Angular promptly stifles forthcoming iterations thanks to instigated protective mechanisms, eventually harmonizing operations seamlessly.

When <code>pathMatch = 'full', a route is considered a match only when the remaining, unmatched segments of the URL are an exact path.

Setting <code>pathMatch = 'prefix'

instructs the router to match the redirect route if the remaining URL starts with the redirect route's prefix path.

For more information, visit: https://angular.io/guide/router#set-up-redirects

When using <code>pathMatch: 'full'

, the entire URL path must be matched for the route to be consumed by the matching algorithm.

In contrast, <code>pathMatch: 'prefix'

means that the first route where the path matches the beginning of the URL is selected, and then the algorithm continues to look for child routes with matching segments in the remaining part of the URL.

In the world of routing, there are two main strategies for matching paths: 'prefix' and 'full'. The default strategy is 'prefix'.

With the 'prefix' strategy, the router checks URL elements from the left to find a match with a given path, stopping as soon as one is found. For example, '/team/11/user' would match 'team/:id' using this strategy.

On the other hand, the 'full' path-match strategy matches against the entire URL. This is especially useful when redirecting empty-path routes. Without this strategy, redirecting an empty path could lead to an endless loop since an empty path is a prefix of any URL.

For more information, visit: https://angular.io/api/router/Route#properties

By default, Angular follows the {pathMatch: 'prefix'} behavior for all routes.

Next, let's explore the distinction between these two options:

If pathMatch: 'prefix' => Angular looks for a prefix of the path (from the URL) in the routes array.

If pathMatch: 'full' => Angular searches for the exact path (from the URL) in the routes array.

When defining routes in Angular, the pathMatch: full option plays a crucial role in guiding the Angular Router on how to precisely match a URL with a specific route. By setting this option to full, Angular will only consider a route as a match if the URL exactly matches the specified path. In other words, the route will only be triggered when there is a perfect and complete match with the URL's path.