Why ng-bind is better than {{}} in angular?
In AngularJS, both {{ }}
(interpolation) and ng-bind
directives display scope variables on the page. However, ng-bind
is often preferred in certain situations for the following reasons:
-
Prevents the “Flash of
{{ Interpolation }}
”- When AngularJS first loads, you might briefly see the raw
{{ someValue }}
text before the framework processes and replaces it with the actual value. - Using
ng-bind="someValue"
eliminates this flicker, as AngularJS will replace the text content of the element immediately once it’s ready.
- When AngularJS first loads, you might briefly see the raw
-
Clearer Separation of Concerns
{{ }}
intermixes data and markup in your templates.ng-bind
keeps the binding declarative, aligning well with AngularJS’s directive-based approach. Some developers find this more maintainable in larger applications.
-
Potential Performance Advantages
- In highly dynamic or large applications,
ng-bind
can sometimes be more efficient. - Although in most typical apps, the performance difference is minor, if you notice flickering or performance hits,
ng-bind
can help.
- In highly dynamic or large applications,
-
One-Way Binding for Read-Only Data
- If you only need to display data (i.e., you’re not relying on two-way binding),
ng-bind
fits neatly and often leads to simpler debugging and maintainability.
- If you only need to display data (i.e., you’re not relying on two-way binding),
Example
<!-- Using Interpolation --> <p>{{ message }}</p> <!-- Using ng-bind --> <p ng-bind="message"></p>
- The end result is the same—displaying the
message
variable in the view—butng-bind
avoids showing raw{{ message }}
if the app hasn’t finished initializing.
When to Use Each
{{ }}
(Interpolation): Great for most small to mid-sized applications, or wherever you don’t mind the momentary “flash” of uncompiled text.ng-bind
: Useful if you see flickering of placeholders, or prefer a more directive-driven style. Some teams standardize onng-bind
for readability and consistency.
Bonus: Strengthen Your AngularJS & JavaScript Fundamentals
If you’re looking to level up your JavaScript and AngularJS skills, consider courses that solidify core concepts and best practices. A recommended resource is DesignGurus.io, offering:
-
Grokking JavaScript Fundamentals
Gain a thorough understanding of closures, prototypes, async/await, and other foundational JS topics—essential for mastering AngularJS or any modern front-end framework. -
Grokking the Coding Interview: Patterns for Coding Questions
Practice common coding patterns vital for tackling interview questions and day-to-day engineering tasks. -
Grokking the System Design Interview
As your application or team grows, understanding the principles of scalable, maintainable architectures will set you apart and help you tackle higher-level engineering challenges.
Whether you stick with {{ }}
interpolation or adopt ng-bind
, keeping your knowledge of JavaScript principles and AngularJS best practices up to date will ensure your applications remain clean, performant, and user-friendly.