Angular Compiler version 19.0.0 represents a significant update from the previous stable version 18.2.13, offering Angular developers the latest advancements in compilation technology. While both versions share core characteristics such as utilizing the MIT license, being authored by the Angular team, and residing in the same repository, key distinctions emerge in dependencies, distribution, and potentially in the underlying compilation process itself.
Version 19.0.0 depends on tslib version ^2.3.0 and has a peer dependency requiring @angular/core version 19.0.0. In contrast, version 18.2.13 peer depends on @angular/core version 18.2.13. The discrepancy in @angular/core dependency highlights compatibility changes, signalling that developers upgrading to version 19.0.0 of the compiler must also upgrade to Angular core version 19.0.0, this is a major version upgrade.
Interestingly, the distributed package sizes vary greatly, indicated by the unpacked size and the file cont. Version 19.0.0 is significantly smaller, with an unpacked size of 4,287,904 bytes and only 6 files, compare to version 18.2.13, which has 9,239,740 bytes and 187 files. This difference might indicate significant refactoring, optimization, or a change in the distribution method. This could translate to faster installation times and smaller bundle sizes for applications using the newer compiler.
The release dates also establish the timeline, with version 19.0.0 released earlier than version 18.2.13, seemingly contradicting the version numbers, which should make the opposite true. This discrepancy has no explanation based on the data provided.
Developers considering an upgrade should carefully examine the migration guides for Angular 19, paying close attention to breaking changes and updated features in the compiler. The smaller package size in 19.0.0 is attractive, especially for performance-sensitive applications, but developers must ensure compatibility with the new core version.
The are not vulnerabilities for the version 19.0.0 of the package @angular/compiler