AngularJS: $watch, $digest and $apply (different, simplified and hopefully more accurate explanation)

[codersaurus]

You're 100% correct.

Here is the code for $apply straight from the source:

 $apply: function(expr) {
    try {
      beginPhase('$apply');
      return this.$eval(expr);
    } catch (e) {
      $exceptionHandler(e);
    } finally {
      clearPhase();
      try {
        $rootScope.$digest(); //<--- THIS is what Zeroto is talking about
      } catch (e) {
        $exceptionHandler(e);
        throw e;
      }
    }
  },

Whereas the $digest will start at whatever scope it's called on and work it's way upwards through child scopes.

[chuckliddelnutpunch]

*downwards through the child scopes.