Question

What are the key differences between a Component and a Directive in Angular?

Answer 1

A Component is a directive that uses shadow DOM to create encapsulated visual behavior. Usually, components are used to create UI widgets by breaking up the application into smaller parts. In short, we can say that a component (@component) is a directive-with-a-template.

A list of the major differences between a Component and a Directive in Angular:

Component	Directive
Components are generally used for creating UI widgets.	Directives are generally used for adding behavior to an existing DOM element.
We use @Component meta-data annotation attributes to register a component.	We use @Directive meta-data annotation attributes to register directives.
It is used to break up the application into smaller parts called components.	It is used to design re-usable components.
Only one component is allowed to be used per DOM element.	Multiple directives are allowed to be used per DOM element.
@View decorator or templateurl/template is mandatory in a component.	A Directive doesn't use View.
A component is used to define pipes.	In a directive, it is not possible to define Pipes.

Answer 2

In a short note, A component(@component) is a directive-with-a-template.

Some of the major differences are mentioned in a tabular form

Component Directive

To register a component we use @Component meta-data annotation To register a directive we use @Directive meta-data annotation

Components are typically used to create UI widgets Directives are used to add behavior to an existing DOM element

Component is used to break down the application into smaller components Directive is used to design re-usable components

Only one component can be present per DOM element Many directives can be used per DOM element

@View decorator or templateurl/template are mandatory Directive doesn't use View