Downgrading Angular 6 Project to Angular 5: A Comprehensive Guide

Angular, a powerful framework for building web applications, has recently seen several major updates. One such update was from Angular 6 to Angular 7, but if you need to downgrade from Angular 6 to Angular 5, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Prerequisites

To successfully downgrade your Angular 6 project to Angular 5, you must ensure that your development environment is properly set up. Specifically, you will need to:

Install Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) Ensure your project is using Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) Backup your current project (important in case something goes wrong)

It is crucial to have a backup of your project before making any changes, as these steps might introduce unexpected behavior or errors that could affect your project.

Update NPM

The first step in the process is to update the NPM version. This step is necessary to ensure that you have the latest and compatible version of the tools required for your project. Here are the necessary commands:

npm install -g - This command updates the global npm to the latest version available on NPM.

After running these commands, you will need to verify the installed version of npm using the command:

npm -v - This will show you the installed version of npm on your system.

Remember: Make sure to refer to the screenshot provided as a visual guide for the process.

Installing Angular CLI Version 1.7.x

To downgrade the Angular CLI to version 1.7.x, you will need to use the npm install command. Here’s how to do it:

npm install -g @angular/ - This command installs the Angular CLI at version 1.7.x globally.

Updating Angular Project to Angular 5

Once the Angular CLI is updated, you can proceed to update your Angular project to version 5. This involves changing the `@angular/core` and `@angular/common` dependencies in your `package.json` file to version 5.x.x. To do this, follow these steps:

Open your `package.json` file in a text editor. Locate the `dependencies` section. Change the version of `@angular/core` and `@angular/common` to 5.x.x. For example, if you want the latest version of Angular 5, the line will look like this:

"@angular/core": "^5.2.11"

"@angular/common": "^5.2.11"

Note: Ensure that you have not introduced any breaking changes that would affect the other libraries and packages in your project.

Reinstalling Dependencies

After updating the dependencies in your `package.json` file, you need to reinstall all the dependencies to reflect the changes. Use the following command to do so:

npm install - This command will install all the dependencies listed in the `package.json` file.

Verifying the Downgrade

To ensure that your project has been successfully downgraded to Angular 5, you can run the Angular CLI command to generate a new Angular application and compare the versions:

ng new test-app - This command creates a new Angular application named `test-app`. Check the `package.json` file of the `test-app` project to see the version of `@angular/core` and `@angular/common`. Compare the versions in your original project with the `test-app` project to confirm that your project has been successfully downgraded.

Conclusion

Downgrading from Angular 6 to Angular 5 is a straightforward process as long as you follow the correct steps and take necessary precautions. Always remember to backup your project before making any changes and to double-check the versions of the dependencies to prevent any issues from arising.

FAQs

Q: What if the downgrade causes issues with my project?

A: If the downgrade causes any issues, the best course of action is to thoroughly test your project and revert any changes that have caused problems. If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider seeking help from community forums or the Angular team.

Q: Can I downgrade Angular 6 to a version earlier than 5?

A: While it is possible to downgrade to earlier versions, it is generally not recommended as the feature set and support may be limited in those earlier versions. It is usually easier to upgrade to the latest version and then downgrading from there if necessary.

Q: Are there any other steps I should take after the downgrade?

A: After the downgrade, you should perform a thorough review of your project to ensure everything is working as expected. Additionally, updating your project configurations and tests is important to maintain the quality and stability of your application.