`tsconfig.json` template doesn't have the `baseUrl` option

[changhuixu]

Command

new

Is this a regression?

• Yes, this behavior used to work in the previous version

The previous version in which this bug was not present was

v16

Description

The tsconfig.json file had an option in v16: "baseUrl" = "./" by default. But now in v17, this option is no longer there.

Without it, the import statement in TypeScript files would change from
import { SharedModule } from 'src/app/shared';
to
import { SharedModule } from '../../shared';

In some cases, the nested folders will increase the path to be many ../../../ instead of simply src/app/shared.
It becomes a pain to manage the relative path.

The baseUrl option is removed in this commit 419b5c1

related to #18834

There must be a reason for you to remove it, as the commit message says "this also enables better auto-import suggestions". Could you explain it more?

From the screenshot below, it only says that "can be", which doesn't mean "should not".

Minimal Reproduction

related to #18834

Exception or Error

ref. description session
![image](https://github.com/angular/angular-cli/assets/16184464/3a8541a2-4338-49c0-a5b2-fb3e60a99741)

Your Environment

Angular CLI: 17.0.5
Node: 20.9.0
Package Manager: npm 9.8.1
OS: win32 x64

Anything else relevant?

d

[changhuixu]

[alan-agius4]

This is indeed expected. If you'd like to use absolute imports there is nothing from stopping you to add baseUrl back. In general, however it was observed that without baseUrl, TypeScript language service does suggest/recommend auto-imports slightly better.

It is also a matter of preference, to use absolute vs relative imports. Example, I personally, prefer to use relative imports and avoid using absolute imports.

[changhuixu]

Thanks @alan-agius4

What's your suggestion when you refactor code, for example, moving a folder down or up one level or two levels. Do you count the number of ../?

The absolute path is also generated by VS Code (from language service). VS Code smartly generates either absolute or relative paths for me. So I don't understand your observation about auto-imports...

[alan-agius4]

What's your suggestion when you refactor code, for example, moving a folder down or up one level or two levels. Do you count the number of ../?

No, the number of ../ does not make any difference. When moving files around VsCode and other IDEs would auto-update the imports. Unless this feature is disabled.

[changhuixu]

Oh, perfect. Thanks a lot.

I will update my applications by removing the baseUrl . Thanks again

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