The Ultimate Guide to Angular 12 WebSocket Example

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Introduction

Angular is a popular web application framework that has gained a lot of traction in recent years. It is known for its versatility, simplicity, and ease of use. One of the most exciting features of Angular is its support for WebSockets, a modern protocol that allows for real-time communication between the client and the server. In this article, we will explore the Angular 12 WebSocket example and how it can be used to create a real-time web application.

What is WebSocket?

WebSocket is a protocol that enables two-way communication between the client and the server over a single, long-lived connection. It is an alternative to the traditional request-response model used in HTTP. WebSocket provides a real-time, low-latency, and bidirectional channel for transmitting data between the client and the server. It is ideal for applications that require real-time updates, such as chat applications, online gaming, and financial trading platforms.

Why use Angular 12 with WebSocket?

Angular is a modern web application framework that provides a robust set of tools for building web applications. When combined with WebSocket, Angular enables developers to create real-time, responsive, and scalable web applications. Angular provides a powerful set of features, such as dependency injection, reactive programming, and component architecture, that can be used to build complex and dynamic web applications. WebSocket provides a low-latency, bidirectional channel for transmitting data between the client and the server, which is essential for real-time web applications.

Setting up Angular 12 with WebSocket

Setting up Angular 12 with WebSocket is a straightforward process. First, you need to create a new Angular project using the Angular CLI. Then, you need to install the WebSocket library and import it into your project. After that, you can start using WebSocket in your Angular application.

Create a new Angular project using the Angular CLI

To create a new Angular project, you need to install the Angular CLI. Open a terminal window and run the following command:

npm install -g @angular/cli

Once the Angular CLI is installed, you can create a new Angular project by running the following command:

ng new my-app

This will create a new Angular project called “my-app”.

Install the WebSocket library

To install the WebSocket library, open a terminal window and run the following command:

npm install ngx-websocket@6.0.0 –save

This will install the ngx-websocket library and save it to your project’s dependencies.

Import the WebSocket module

To use WebSocket in your Angular application, you need to import the WebSocket module. Open the “app.module.ts” file in your project and add the following import statement:

import { WebSocketModule } from ‘ngx-websocket’;

Then, add the WebSocket module to the imports array:

@NgModule({
imports: [
BrowserModule,
WebSocketModule.forRoot()
],
…})

Now, you can start using WebSocket in your Angular application.

Using Angular 12 with WebSocket

Using Angular 12 with WebSocket is a simple and powerful way to create real-time web applications. In this section, we will explore how to use Angular 12 with WebSocket to create a real-time chat application.

Creating a WebSocket service

To use WebSocket in your Angular application, you need to create a WebSocket service. A service is a class that provides a specific functionality to other parts of your application. In this case, we will create a WebSocket service that handles the WebSocket connection and sends and receives messages.

To create a WebSocket service, create a new file called “websocket.service.ts” in your project’s “app” folder. Add the following code to the file:

@Injectable({
providedIn: ‘root’
})
export class WebsocketService {‘{‘}
  private subject: Rx.Subject<MessageEvent>;
  private ws: WebSocket;
  constructor() {‘{‘}
    this.subject = new Rx.Subject<MessageEvent>();
    this.ws = new WebSocket(‘ws://localhost:8080’);
    this.ws.onopen = (event) => {‘{‘}
      console.log(‘WebSocket opened’);
      this.ws.send(‘Hello, WebSocket!’);
    {‘}’;
    this.ws.onmessage = (event) => {‘{‘}
      this.subject.next(event);
    {‘}’;
    this.ws.onclose = (event) => {‘{‘}
      console.log(‘WebSocket closed’);
    {‘}’;
  {‘}’;

  public sendMessage(message: string) {‘{‘}
    this.ws.send(message);
  {‘}’;

  public getMessages(): Rx.Observable<MessageEvent> {‘{‘}
    return this.subject.asObservable();
  {‘}’;
}

This code creates a WebSocket service that connects to a WebSocket server at “ws://localhost:8080”. When the WebSocket connection is opened, it sends a “Hello, WebSocket!” message. When a message is received, it adds it to a RxJS subject, which allows other parts of the application to subscribe to the WebSocket messages. The service also provides a method for sending messages and a method for subscribing to the WebSocket messages.

Creating a chat component

Now that we have created a WebSocket service, we can create a chat component that uses the service to send and receive messages. Create a new file called “chat.component.ts” in your project’s “app” folder. Add the following code to the file:

@Component({
  selector: ‘app-chat’,
  templateUrl: ‘./chat.component.html’,
})
export class ChatComponent implements OnInit {‘{‘}
  public messages: string[] = [];
  public message: string;

constructor(private websocketService: WebsocketService) {‘{‘}
{‘}’;

  ngOnInit() {‘{‘}
    this.websocketService.getMessages().subscribe((message: MessageEvent) => {‘{‘}
      this.messages.push(message.data);
    {‘}’;
  {‘}’;

  public sendMessage() {‘{‘}
    this.websocketService.sendMessage(this.message);
    this.message = ”;
  {‘}’;
}

This code creates a chat component that displays a list of messages and a text input field for sending messages. When the component is initialized, it subscribes to the WebSocket messages using the WebSocket service. When a message is received, it adds it to the “messages” array. The component also provides a method for sending messages using the WebSocket service.

Creating a chat template

Now that we have created a chat component, we can create a template that displays the chat user interface. Create a new file called “chat.component.html” in your project’s “app” folder. Add the following code to the file:

<div>
  <input [(ngModel)]=”message” placeholder=”Type your message here”>
  <button (click)=”sendMessage()”>Send</button>
  <ul>
    <li *ngFor=”let message of messages”>{{message}}</li>
  </ul>
</div>

This code creates a chat user interface that displays a text input field for sending messages, a “Send” button, and a list of messages. The list of messages is generated using the “ngFor” directive in Angular, which loops over the “messages” array and displays each message in a list item.

Displaying the chat component

Now that we have created a chat component and a chat template, we can display the chat component in our Angular application. Open the “app.component.html” file in your project’s “app” folder and replace the existing code with the following:

<app-chat></app-chat>

This code displays the chat component in the main application template. When you run the Angular application, you should see the chat user interface.

Conclusion

WebSocket is a powerful protocol that allows for real-time communication between the client and the server. When combined with Angular, WebSocket enables developers to create real-time web applications that are responsive, scalable, and easy to build. In this article, we have explored the Angular 12 WebSocket example and how it can be used to create a real-time chat application. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create your own real-time web application using Angular and WebSocket.

FAQ

What is Angular?

Angular is a popular web application framework that provides a set of tools for building web applications. It is known for its versatility, simplicity, and ease of use.

What is WebSocket?

Why use Angular 12 with WebSocket?

Angular 12 provides a powerful set of features, such as dependency injection, reactive programming, and component architecture, that can be used to build complex and dynamic web applications. When combined with WebSocket, Angular enables developers to create real-time, responsive, and scalable web applications.

How do I set up Angular 12 with WebSocket?

To set up Angular 12 with WebSocket, you need to create a new Angular project using the Angular CLI, install the WebSocket library, and import the WebSocket module into your project.

How do I use Angular 12 with WebSocket?

To use Angular 12 with WebSocket, you need to create a WebSocket service that handles the WebSocket connection and sends and receives messages. You also need to create a component that uses the WebSocket service to send and receive messages, and a template that displays the chat user interface. Finally, you need to display the component in your Angular application.