How do you optimize the performance and loading time of Angular Material applications?

1 Use lazy loading

Lazy loading is a technique that allows you to load the modules and components of your app only when they are needed, instead of loading them all at once. This can reduce the initial bundle size and improve the user experience by showing the content faster. To use lazy loading in Angular, you need to create feature modules for each section of your app and use the loadChildren property in your routes. You can also use the Angular CLI to generate lazy-loaded modules and routes automatically.

3 Use on-demand components

Another way to reduce the size and complexity of your app is to use on-demand components instead of importing all the Angular Material components in your app module. On-demand components are components that are loaded dynamically only when they are required, such as dialogs, snack bars, or bottom sheets. To use on-demand components, you need to use the Angular CDK Portal API and the ComponentFactoryResolver service to create and attach the components to the DOM. You can also use the Angular Material CDK Component Harnesses to test your on-demand components.

4 Use web workers

Web workers are a feature of the web platform that allow you to run scripts in the background without blocking the main thread. This can improve the performance and responsiveness of your app, especially if you have heavy computations or data processing tasks. To use web workers in Angular, you need to use the Angular CLI to generate a web worker file and a service that communicates with it. You can also use the Angular Web Worker API to simplify the creation and communication of web workers.

5 Use service workers

Service workers are another feature of the web platform that allow you to create offline-first and progressive web applications. Service workers can intercept and handle network requests, cache assets and data, and provide push notifications. This can improve the loading time and user experience of your app, especially in low or unreliable network conditions. To use service workers in Angular, you need to use the Angular CLI to add the @angular/pwa package and the ngsw-config.json file to your project. You can also use the Angular Service Worker API to control and update the service worker.

6 Use performance tools

Finally, you can use various performance tools to measure and improve the performance and loading time of your Angular Material applications. Chrome DevTools is a set of web developer tools that can be used to inspect, debug, and analyze your app in the browser. Lighthouse audits your app for performance, accessibility, best practices, and SEO while offering suggestions for improvement. Webpack Bundle Analyzer is a plugin that visualizes the size and composition of your app bundle and helps you identify optimization opportunities. Angular CLI is a command-line interface that provides commands and options to build, serve, test, and optimize your app.