Angular is a powerful framework that simplifies modern web development by providing a robust structure for building dynamic applications. As a beginner, the first step in your journey is to install the necessary tools. You will need to install Node.js and the Angular CLI (Command Line Interface). Follow these steps:

1. Download and install Node.js from the official website.
2. Open your terminal or command prompt.
3. Run the command npm install -g @angular/cli to install the Angular CLI globally.

Once you have set up your environment, it's time to create your first Angular application! You can do this by running the command ng new my-app in your terminal. This command generates a new Angular project with all the necessary files and configurations. Navigate into your project directory using cd my-app and start the development server with ng serve. Visit http://localhost:4200 in your browser to see your app in action. With Angular's component-based architecture, you will quickly realize why it has become a favorite among developers for creating dynamic web applications.

When it comes to building dynamic web applications, Angular provides a robust framework packed with essential features. Understanding these features is crucial for enhancing your applications. Here are the top 10 Angular features that you should know:

1. Two-Way Data Binding: This feature helps synchronize data between the model and the view, allowing for seamless updates in real-time.
2. Dependency Injection: Angular's built-in dependency injection system improves the efficiency of your applications by managing the way services are created and provided.
3. Routing: The Angular Router enables navigation between different views or components, enhancing user experience by allowing single-page application functionalities.
4. Reactive Programming: With Reactive Forms and RxJS, Angular encourages a reactive programming style, ensuring better management of asynchronous data.

Additionally, these features are designed to simplify development and improve performance. Here are more to consider:

5. Modular Architecture: Angular promotes a modular approach through NgModules, making it easier to manage and scale applications.
6. Integrated Testing: Built-in support for testing makes it simple to validate your application using tools like Jasmine and Karma.
7. CLI (Command Line Interface): The Angular CLI streamlines project setup, development, and deployment, allowing developers to focus on writing code instead of configuring their environment.
8. Performance Optimization: Features like Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation and tree-shaking ensure that applications run faster and are optimized for production.
9. Cross-Platform Development: With Angular, developers can create responsive applications suitable for both mobile and desktop environments, enhancing accessibility.

When building your next Angular project, it’s essential to be aware of common pitfalls that can hinder your application's performance and maintainability. One of the primary challenges developers face is overusing services. While Angular's dependency injection makes it easy to inject services throughout your application, excessive use can lead to complex dependencies and make your application difficult to manage. It's crucial to keep your services focused on specific tasks and avoid creating a tangled web of dependencies that can complicate testing and lead to harder-to-debug issues.

Another key concern is improper use of change detection. Angular’s change detection mechanism is powerful, but misuse can result in performance bottlenecks. Developers should avoid relying solely on the default change detection strategy and instead consider implementing the OnPush strategy when applicable. This approach can significantly enhance performance by reducing the number of checks Angular performs on component trees. To maximize efficiency, always remember to use trackBy with structural directives like *ngFor to minimize unnecessary re-renders of your templates.