Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Angular in Visual Studio Code

2024/04/21

Key Notes

Install Visual Studio Code as your main IDE.
NodeJS is needed to run Angular applications.
Set the environment variable correctly for NodeJS.

Mastering Angular Setup in Visual Studio Code: Your Comprehensive Guide

Setting up Angular in Visual Studio Code involves several steps, including installing necessary software and configuring environment variables. In this guide, we will walk through each step to ensure a smooth development experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Setup Angular in VS Code

To successfully set up Angular in Visual Studio Code on your Windows machine, follow the detailed instructions below.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

Begin your journey by downloading Visual Studio Code from here. After downloading, navigate to your Downloads folder, double-click the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Install NodeJS

Angular relies on NodeJS as its runtime environment. Navigate to nodejs.org to download the NodeJS installer. Remember to install it in a location that is easy to remember, such as D:\NodeJS.

Pro Tip: Choose a short installation path to simplify future access to NodeJS.

Step 3: Configure Environment Variable

Setting the environment variable for NodeJS is essential. Follow these steps:

Press Win + S, type “Environment Variable, ” and open it.
Copy the NodeJS installation path (e.g., D:\NodeJS ).
In the Environment Variables window, select Path in the System Variables section and click Edit.
Add a new entry, paste the copied NodeJS location, and click OK.

Once set, test the variable by running node –version in Command Prompt. If it returns a version number, proceed to install Angular.

Step 4: Install Angular CLI

Now that the environment is ready, we can install Angular. Follow these sub-steps:

Launch Visual Studio Code.
Navigate to your desired project directory using the cd command.
Run npm install -g @angular/cli to install the Angular CLI globally.
Create a new Angular project with ng new yourProjectName.
Enter the project folder using cd yourProjectName and start the development server with ng serve.

You should now be able to see your Angular app running without any issues.

Pro Tip: Ensure you’re in the project directory before running the ng serve command to avoid errors.

Additional Tips

Confirm that NodeJS and Angular CLI are correctly installed by checking their version in the command line.
Utilize the integrated terminal in Visual Studio Code for running commands directly in your project folder.
Frequently update Angular CLI using npm update -g @angular/cli for the latest features and fixes.

Summary

Setting up Angular in Visual Studio Code requires installing the IDE, NodeJS, and configuring the environment correctly. The crucial steps involve using NodeJS to run Angular applications and ensuring everything is in the right directory before executing commands.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can set up Angular in Visual Studio Code and start developing your applications seamlessly. The setup process is straightforward once you understand the requirements, and mastering these steps will pave the way for more advanced web development tasks.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is Angular CLI?

Angular CLI is a command line interface tool that helps automate the development process for Angular applications, allowing developers to create, build, and manage them efficiently.

What if I’m unable to run the ng serve command?

Ensure you’re in the correct project directory. Use the cd command to navigate to your project’s folder where Angular was initialized before running ng serve.