What’s New in Store for Ionic 4 And How to Migrate?

Ionic is an open source SDK and framework which is originally known for its capacity to facilitate the development of hybrid mobile apps. Along with Shadow DOM APIs and other custom elements generally available in modern mobile and web browsers, Ionic 4 is an evolved platform that is distributed as a group of web components. This allows developers to take advantage of it and create apps across different platforms including web, mobile, and desktop. It has been upgraded to not just cater to the needs of all these platforms effectively to ensure better the app’s performance and quality, but also reduce the burden of developers in building it.

Here are the various additions that Ionic 4 has got in store for all of us.

Stencil

Being able to work with every other framework and employ extra API like Virtual DOM, async rendering, JSX, and TypeScript, this new web component compiler helps to create standard compliant web components.

Capacitor

Offering first-rate PWA assistance for writing and redistributing apps to the mobile and web stores, this cross-platform APP, also called as code execution layer, can easily call native SDKs from web code and write custom native plugins.

Web Components

By introducing special web components in this version of Ionic, the framework has made improvements in functionality. There is no need to write codes over and over again as they are reusable. This helps develop high-performing PWAs in shorter spans of time. For instance, Shadow DOM fixes CSS, and certain custom elements improve HTML and HTM ports.

Improved Performance

Rendering a full overhaul in material design, web components, UI, and theme customizability, Ionic 4 considerably improves the performance. The ambition to meet the standards on iOS and Android drove the Ionic Development Team to take such a drastic measure and make the platform an exemplary one. All these elements and components are optimized for augmenting load time and escalate performance. The work of the development team is truly admirable and observable as the latest web component “Stencil” got a score of 100/100 on Google’s Lighthouse Benchmark Tool.

PWA Enabled

As mentioned earlier, Ionic 4 enables the development of extraordinary Progressive Web Apps. A sturdy web component pipeline was created by using Stencil. It is rendered with robust features capable of performing functions of loading and delivery of asynchronous components.

More Flexibility

Using CSS custom properties to showcase public theming API, it provides the ability to customize the apps extensively. Now, it is possible to more effectively target documented and published CSS custom properties.

Other Components

Besides, the ones mentioned above, there are a few more which are launched especially in Ionic 4. They include - Ionicons 4.0, CSS Variables, Tappable items, Default color changes, Ion-select-popover, Ion-skeleton-text, Ion-reorder, Ion-ripple-effect, Ion-route, Ion-picker, Ion-backdrop, Ion-searchbar, and Ion-show-when.

Migration:-

It might be a bit challenging to upgrade and migrate to Ionic 4 from the older versions. However, it is very beneficial to do so.

Migrating from Ionic 1 to 4

There are many structural differences between the two versions as you will be moving from Angular 7+ to AngularJS. This calls for a need to write some app codes. The workload here depends on the size and complexity of the app. However, the UI components won’t be of much trouble as they have not transformed drastically as others.

Before you initiate the transition, check the time frame first. It is recommended to feature-freeze Ionic 1 and orders the code for reducing technicality issues and troubleshooting prime bugs. Next, decide which features you want to migrate and which you don’t mind leaving behind. Finally, start filling the features and develop the app. Once you are certain about the new app’s ability, go ahead and terminate version 1.

Migrating from Ionic 3 to 4

Fortunately, this transition is not as demanding as the previous one. However, it does take a while to complete it successfully. Here, there is going to be a shift from Angular 2+ to Angular 7+. Lazy loading and Navigation require the maximum transformation amongst other components. Integrating the official Angular router instead of Ionic’s NavController, you can achieve a more stable and reliable routing experience. Similarly, LoadChildren can be employed for upgrading lazy loading.

For more elaborate guides, visit the official website.

Wrapping Up

Equipped with so many new elements, changes, and transformations, Ionic 4 is packed with top-notch features and takes Ionic App Development to a whole new level. If you are looking to hire a professional App Development Team in New York, get in touch with Openwave! Our experts are adept at providing exceptional app solutions and services! Avail from us at affordable rates!