Getting started with Angular can seem daunting for beginners, but it's a powerful framework that simplifies the development of dynamic web applications. Angular is a TypeScript-based open-source platform developed by Google, designed to make the creation of single-page applications much more manageable. To kick things off, you need to have a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once you're familiar with these core technologies, you can start setting up your development environment by installing Node.js and the Angular CLI (Command Line Interface), which provides a robust set of tools to streamline your Angular projects.

After installing Angular CLI, you can create your first Angular application by using the command ng new my-app, where 'my-app' can be replaced with your desired project name. This command generates a new Angular project structure with all the essential files and dependencies. Once your project is set up, you can navigate to the project directory and run the application using ng serve. This command will start a development server, allowing you to see your application in action at http://localhost:4200. From here, you can begin experimenting with Angular's core features such as components, services, and routing, laying the foundation for more complex applications.

When developing with Angular, many developers fall into common pitfalls that can hinder application performance and maintainability. One frequent mistake is neglecting the use of the OnPush change detection strategy, which can lead to unnecessary rendering. To avoid this, leverage immutability whenever possible, ensuring that Angular only re-renders components when there are actual data changes. Additionally, overlooking the importance of module organization can result in a cluttered codebase. It's essential to adopt a clear structure by using feature modules to keep related components, services, and directives together.

Another common oversight is implementing too many nested subscriptions in reactive programming, which can lead to memory leaks and performance issues. To prevent this, utilize RxJS operators such as switchMap and takeUntil for managing subscriptions effectively. Furthermore, failing to optimize HTTP requests by not using caching or failing to unsubscribe from observables can also be detrimental. By implementing proper state management and caching strategies, developers can greatly enhance the efficiency of their Angular applications, leading to better performance and user experience.

Angular is a powerful framework for building dynamic web applications, and its features are essential for developers aiming to create robust and scalable solutions. Here are the Top 10 Angular Features You Should Know About:

1. Two-Way Data Binding: This feature allows for automatic synchronization of data between the model and the view, significantly reducing the need for boilerplate code.
2. Dependency Injection: Angular's built-in dependency injection simplifies the development process by allowing developers to easily manage services and components.
3. Modular Development: With Angular, developers can organize code into modules, making it easier to manage and maintain large applications.
4. Routing: Angular’s advanced routing capabilities enable developers to create single-page applications that offer seamless transitions between views.
5. Directives: These are special markers in the DOM that tell Angular's HTML compiler to attach a specified behavior to that DOM element.
6. Components: Components serve as the building blocks of an Angular application, allowing for reusable and maintainable code.
7. Services: Angular services provide a way to share data and functionality across components, ensuring cleaner code and better separation of concerns.
8. RxJS: This library for reactive programming with observables enhances the handling of asynchronous data and events.
9. Built-in Testing: Angular comes equipped with testing utilities and tools, making it easier to conduct unit and end-to-end tests.
10. Internationalization (i18n): Angular supports multilingual applications, making it easier to cater to a global audience.