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For an existing AngularJS application, design a directive around the boundary it needs: use an isolate scope when a reusable component should receive explicit inputs, transclusion when it must wrap content supplied by its caller, a link function for DOM behavior, and a controller plus require when other directives need to collaborate with it. AngularJS support ended in January 2022, so this is guidance for maintaining legacy applications, not a recommendation to start new projects with AngularJS.
What is an AngularJS directive?
A directive is a marker that tells AngularJS’s HTML compiler how to attach behavior to, or transform, part of the DOM. A marker can be an element name, attribute, comment, or CSS class. Built-in directives include ngBind, ngModel, and ngClass; application-specific directives are registered on a module.
The directive factory returns a definition object describing the directive. During bootstrap, the compiler traverses the DOM, matches directives to elements, and prepares their templates. Linking then connects the compiled template to a scope and sets up its behavior. The factory is configuration; linking happens for the matched DOM instance.
For example, a small custom element could be registered as appStatus and used as <app-status>. Prefix custom directive names to lower the risk of colliding with platform or library names. For a larger template, keep the markup in a separate file and use templateUrl rather than embedding a long string.
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When should I use an isolate scope?
Use an isolate scope when a directive is a reusable component and its dependencies should be visible in an explicit interface. Ordinary child scopes normally inherit properties from parent scopes through JavaScript prototypical inheritance. An isolate scope does not: the directive can work with the values and callbacks declared in its bindings instead of depending on whatever happens to exist on an ancestor scope. See the AngularJS scope guide and directive guide.
Map a parent model into the component
In the guide’s example, scope: { customerInfo: '=info' } maps the parent expression supplied through the info attribute to the directive’s local customerInfo binding. A caller might write <customer-card info="vm.customer"></customer-card>; inside the directive, the component refers to customerInfo, not to an assumed parent-scope name.
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The = binding is for a model expression, so changes are connected to that expression rather than treated as a one-way display value. Choose it when the component needs the documented model relationship; avoid using it as unexplained magic syntax. The attribute is the caller-facing contract, and the local binding is the component-facing name.
Expose a callback with &
Use & when the component needs to evaluate an expression in the parent context, commonly for a callback. The caller declares the expression in markup, the directive names a corresponding local binding, and the component invokes that binding when the event occurs. To pass local values back through the expression, call the binding with an object containing those values. This keeps the action explicit without giving the component ambient access to the parent scope.
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An isolate scope reduces accidental coupling, but its boundary has a cost: every required model or callback must be declared and supplied. If a directive is small and intentionally operates within its parent’s scope, an isolate scope may add ceremony without creating a useful reusable interface.
How does transclusion work in AngularJS?
Use transclusion when a directive should provide a wrapper or structure while allowing the caller to supply arbitrary inner markup. Set transclude: true and place <ng-transclude></ng-transclude> where the supplied content belongs in the directive template.
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The AngularJS $compile API describes it this way: “Transclusion is the process of extracting a collection of DOM elements from one part of the DOM and copying them to another part of the DOM, while maintaining their connection to the original AngularJS scope from where they were taken.” The practical consequence is that content placed inside the directive can continue to use values from the scope where the caller declared it, even if the directive itself has an isolate scope. See the AngularJS $compile API.
That scope relationship is why transclusion is more than pasting HTML into a template. Use it when the directive is meant to wrap caller-provided content; when the component owns all its markup, use its own template instead.
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What is the difference between a directive’s controller and link function?
Choose between them based on what the directive needs to do. The link function handles behavior attached to the matched DOM element. A directive controller exposes methods or state that collaborating directives can use. Not every directive needs a controller.
Use link for DOM-specific behavior
The link function runs after the template has been cloned. Its documented arguments include the scope, jqLite-wrapped element, normalized attributes, any required controller or controllers, and a transclusion function. Put DOM listeners and DOM updates here: for example, attach a listener to the directive’s element and update that element in response to its state.
Use a controller and require for collaboration
If other directives need a supported API from this directive, put that API on its controller. A collaborating directive declares the controller it requires with require, then uses the provided controller to call methods or share state. The AngularJS tabs-and-panes example uses this pattern: a child pane requires its parent tabs directive’s controller and registers itself with it.
This is an explicit relationship between directives. It is preferable to having one directive reach into another’s DOM or rely on an unrelated property being present on a shared scope.
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Which directive design fits the job?
| Design choice | Use it when | What it makes explicit |
|---|---|---|
| Inherited or shared scope | The directive intentionally participates in its parent’s scope context. | Convenient access to inherited values, with tighter coupling to the surrounding scope. |
| Isolate scope | The directive is a reusable component with defined inputs or callbacks. | Its declared bindings form the component interface; it does not prototypically inherit parent properties. |
| Directive-owned template | The component controls the markup it renders. | The component owns its presentation. |
| Transclusion | The directive wraps arbitrary content supplied by its caller. | The caller owns the content; it retains its original scope connection. |
| Link function | Behavior must interact with the matched DOM element. | Element-specific listeners and updates. |
Controller with require |
Other directives need to call or use this directive’s API. | The collaborating controller relationship. |
Is AngularJS still supported?
No. AngularJS officially ended support in January 2022, as the notice on its directive guide states. The syntax and concepts in this article apply to AngularJS, the legacy framework; current Angular is a different generation with different directive APIs. For an application that still runs AngularJS, treat these patterns as maintenance guidance and keep the framework’s unsupported status in mind when planning its future.
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