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(change) vs (ngModelChange) in Angular

javascript
event-handling
angular-forms
performance-optimization
Alex KataevbyAlex Kataev·Dec 4, 2024
TLDR

For actions on a form element once the user leaves the field after modifying its value, use (change) - ideal for final value commits. On the other hand, (ngModelChange) reacts instantaneously to every change in an Angular-driven model value, suitable for dynamic response mechanisms.

Example with (change):

<input (change)="commitValueHandler()" /> <!-- Your pledge to be better at Angular -->

Example with (ngModelChange):

<input [(ngModel)]="liveValue" (ngModelChange)="handleValueChange()" /> <!-- Life's a movie, you're the director! -->

Both (change) and (ngModelChange) serve distinct purposes and understanding their unique roles can up your behavior-driven game.

Detailed explanation

(ngModelChange) for reactive forms

Include ngModel in your forms to directly bind data between your template and component class. Paired with [ngValue], it simplifies dealing with select options by assigning values efficiently to the mentioned model.

Event timing: Affecting performance

The moment at which these events trigger has a noticeable impact on the performance. For actions not needing immediate feedback, (ngModelChange) could incite unwanted performance challenges. Hence, understanding your need can help attain maximum efficiency.

Understanding value capture

With (ngModelChange) placed before [ngModel], you catch the new value before Angular gets to update the model. However, when the order is reversed, Angular updates the model first and then (ngModelChange) event is flagged. An essential insight for precise control over form data.

Focus and user interaction

The (change) event only triggers when the user changes the value and the element loses focus. Conversely, (ngModelChange) emits an event at every change in the HTML element. A go-to for reactive forms.

Custom form development: A closer look

A comprehensive understanding of these events is a game-changer while developing custom form controls, enabling you to define how your forms will interact with Angular's API.

Enhancing your form handling skills

Syntactic sugar: A sweet concept

Pairing (ngModelChange) and [ngModel] gives you Angular's [(ngModel)] which is a sweet syntax denoting two-way data binding. A tool for concise code while maintaining clarity.

Choosing your event handler

Selecting the right event type is bound by your project requirements. (ngModelChange) is beneficial for real-time validation or text prediction, but for actions like triggering a submit function upon completion, (change) happens to be more efficient.

Caution: Edge cases ahead!

Look out for rapid or simultaneous changes (like sliders, complex forms) - (ngModelChange) can run into performance pitfalls if overused.

Source code: The lost treasure

Diving into Angular's source code can unearth deeper understandings. A treasure trove for those wanting to learn framework intricacies and tackle advanced form handling scenarios.