Great question! When I was starting out with AngularJS, I had exactly the same confusion. Let’s break down these two approaches clearly so you can pick the right one for your needs.

1. The "jQuery-style" CDN/File Include Approach #

This is the simplest way to get started—just drop a <script> tag in your HTML, like you did with jQuery:

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/angularjs/1.6.9/angular.min.js"></script>

Key Traits: #

• Zero setup overhead: No need to install npm, no build tools, no scaffolding. Just create an HTML file, add the script, and start writing AngularJS code immediately. Perfect for learning the basics or throwing together a quick prototype.
• Total freedom (for better or worse): You get to organize your files however you want. But this lack of structure can get messy fast if your project grows beyond a few pages.
• Manual dependency management: If you need extra modules like ngRoute or ngAnimate, you’ll have to find their CDN links and add separate <script> tags manually.
• No build pipeline: You won’t get features like code minification, bundle splitting, or hot reloading out of the box. Fine for small projects, but not ideal for production-grade apps.

2. The npm + Scaffolding Approach #

Here, you install AngularJS via npm (npm install angular) and often use a tool like Yeoman’s generator-angular to generate a pre-structured project skeleton.

Key Traits: #

• Opinionated project structure: Scaffolding tools set up standard folders for controllers, services, directives, views, and more. This is a huge win for team collaboration—everyone follows the same pattern, making code easier to maintain.
• Automated dependency management: npm handles versioning and installs. Need angular-route? Just run npm install angular-route and import it into your app—no hunting for CDNs.
• Build tool integration: Most scaffolded projects come pre-configured with Webpack, Gulp, or Grunt. This lets you minify code, split bundles for faster loads, use ES6+ features, and enable hot reloading during development.
• Higher initial learning curve: You’ll need to learn the basics of npm, build tools, and project structure before diving in. It’s more work upfront, but pays off for larger projects.

Which One Is Better? #

There’s no universal "best" option—it depends on your use case:

• Go with the CDN approach if: You’re new to AngularJS and want to learn core concepts without distractions, or you’re building a tiny, single-page tool (like a calculator or form).
• Go with npm + scaffolding if: You’re building a medium-to-large app, working with a team, or need production-ready features like optimized builds and modular code.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Akshay Mohite