An in-depth analysis of AngularJS and DataModel_AngularJS

Introduction to AngularJS

AngularJS is a JavaScript framework. It can be added to HTML pages via the 3f1c4e4b6b16bbbd69b2ee476dc4f83a tag.

AngularJS extends HTML through directives and binds data to HTML through expressions.

What is AngularJS?

AngularJS makes it easier to develop modern single page applications (SPAs: Single Page Applications).

AngularJS binds application data to HTML elements.

AngularJS can clone and repeat HTML elements.

AngularJS can hide and show HTML elements.

AngularJS can add code "behind" HTML elements.

AngularJS supports input validation.

Usually, JSON is used as the model for storing data in AngularJS. We may write the model in the controller like this:

app.controller('BookController',['$scope',function($scope){
$scope.book = {
id:1,
name:'',
author:'',
stores:[
{id:1, name:'', quantity:2},
{id:2, name:'', quantity:2},
...
]
};
}])

This model may be used in the view like this:

<div ng-controller="BookController">
<span ng-bind="book.id"></span>
<input type="text" ng-model="book.name"/>
<input type="text" ng-model="book.author"/>
</div> 

When we need to get data from the server, we may write like this:

app.controller('BookController',['$scope', '$http', function($scope, $http){
var bookId = 1;
$http.get('api/books'+bookId).success(function(bookData){
$scope.book = bookData;
})
$scope.deleteBook = function(){
$http.delete('api/books/' + bookId);
}
$scope.updateBook = function(){
$http.put('api/books/'+bookId, $scope.book);
}
$scope.getBookImageUrl = function(width, height){
return 'our/iamge/service' +bookId + '/width/height';
}
$scope.isAvailable = function(){
if(!$scope.book.stores || $scope.book.stores.length === 0){
return false;
}
reutrn $scope.book.stores.some(function(store){
return store.quantity > 0;
})
}
}]) 

may be used like this in a view:

<div ng-controller="BookController">
<div ng-style="{backgroundImage: 'url('+getBookImageUrl(100,100)+')'}"></div>
<span ng-bind="book.id"></span&#63;
<input type="text" ng-model="book.name"/>
<input type="text" ng-model="book.author"/>
is available: <span ng-bind="isAvailable() &#63; 'Yes' : 'No'"></span>
<button ng-click="deleteBook()">Delete</button>
<button ng-click="updateBook">Update</button>
</div> 

Above, the JSON format model can only be used in BookController. How can it be used in other controllers?
--By factory method

app.factory('Book', ['$http', function($http){
function Book(bookData){
if(bookData){
this.setData(bookData);
}
}
Book.prototype = {
setData: function(bookData){
angular.extend(this, bookData);
},
load: function(id){
var scope = this;
$http.get('api/books/' + bookId).success(function(bookData){
scope.setData(bookData);
})
},
delete: function(bookId){
$http.delete('api/books/' + bookId);
},
update: function(bookId){
$http.put('api/books/' + bookId, this);
},
getImageUrl: function(width, height){
return 'our/image/service/' + this.book.id + '/' + width + '/' + height;
},
isAvailable: funciton(){
if(!this.book.stores || this.book.stores.length === 0) {
return false;
} 
return this.book.stores.some(function(store){
return store.quantity > 0;
})
}
}
return Book;
}]) 

Above, a Data Model similar to Book has been created through factory, which can now be injected into the controller.

app.controller('BookController', ['$scope', 'Book', function($scope, Book){
$scope.book = new Book();
$scope.book.load(1);
}]) 

There will also be corresponding changes in the view.

<div ng-controller="BookController">
<div ng-style="{backgroundImage: 'url(' + book.getImageUrl(100, 100) + ')'}"></div>
<span ng-bind="book.id"></span>
<input type="text" ng-model="book.name"/>
<input type="text" ng-model="book.author"/>
is abailble: <span ng-bind="book.isAvailabe() &#63; 'Yes' : 'No'"></span>
<button ng-click="book.delete()">Delete</button>
<button ng-click="book.update()">Update</button>
</div> 

As above, multiple controllers can use the same Data Model about books. What if multiple controllers process the same Data Model about books?

app.factory('booksManager', ['$http', '$q', 'Book', function($http. $q, Book){
var booksManager = {
_pool: {},
_retrieveInstance: function(bookId, bookData){
var instance = this._pool[bookId];
if(instance){
instance.setData(bookData);
} else {
instance = new Book(bookData);
this._pool[bookId] = instance;
}
return instance;
},
_seach: function(bookId){
reutrn this_.pool[bookId];
},
_load: function(bookId, deferred){
var scope = this;
$http.get('api/books/' + bookId)
.success(funciton(bookData){
var book = scope._retrieveInstance(bookData.id, bookData);
deferred.resolve(book);
})
.error(function(){
deferred.reject();
})
},
getBook: function(bookId){
var deferred = $q.defer();
var book = this._search(bookId);
if(book){
deferred.resove(book);
} else {
this._load(bookId, deferred);
}
return deferred.promise;
},
loadAllBooks: function(){
var deferred = $q.defer();
var scope = this;
$http.get('api/books')
.success(function(booksArray){
var books = [];
booksArray.forEach(function(bookData){
var book = scope.l_retrieveInstance(bookData.id, bookData);
books.push(book);
});
deferred.resolve(books);
})
.error(function(){
deferred.reject();
});
return deferred.promise;
}，
setBook: function(bookData){
var scope = this;
var book = this._search(bookData.id);
if(book){
book.setData(bookData);
} else {
book = scope._retrieveInstance(bookData);
}
return book;
}
};
return booksManager;
}]) 

Book service removes the load method.

app.factory('Book', ['$http', function($http) { 
function Book(bookData) {
if (bookData) {
this.setData(bookData):
}
// Some other initializations related to book
};
Book.prototype = {
setData: function(bookData) {
angular.extend(this, bookData);
},
delete: function() {
$http.delete('ourserver/books/' + bookId);
},
update: function() {
$http.put('ourserver/books/' + bookId, this);
},
getImageUrl: function(width, height) {
return 'our/image/service/' + this.book.id + '/width/height';
},
isAvailable: function() {
if (!this.book.stores || this.book.stores.length === 0) {
return false;
}
return this.book.stores.some(function(store) {
return store.quantity > 0;
});
}
};
return Book;
}]); 

Now, multiple controllers can use the same booksManager service.

app.controller('EditableBookController',['$scope', 'booksManager', function($scope, booksManager){
booksManager.getBook(1).then(function(book){
$scope.book = book;
})
}])
.controller('BooksListController',['$scope', 'booksManager', function($scope, booksManager){
booksManager.loadAllBooks().then(function(books){
$scope.books = books;
})
}])