TypeScript: Facts, Pros, and Cons

What’s TypeScript?

The typeScript was launched in 2012. Microsoft had developed TypeScript and is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.

It is a strongly typed programming language that builds on JavaScript. TypeScript code can be converted into JavaScript. It runs on any browser or app where JavaScript can run. TypeScript uses type inference to give the user great tooling without any additional code. Moreover, it adds additional syntax to JavaScript.

Facts on TypeScript

1. TypeScript similar to JavaScript

The basic building blocks of the program are adopted from JavaScript. If you know JavaScript, then it’s easy to use TypeScript. All the code which is written in TypeScript
is converted into JavaScript for execution.

2. Supports other JS libraries

From any JavaScript code, the compiled TypeScript can be consumed. All of the existing JavaScript frameworks, tools, and frameworks can be used by the TypeScript generated JavaScript.

3. JavaScript is also TypeScript

Any valid .js file can be renamed to .ts file. It can also be compiled with other TypeScript files.

4. Runs on any browser or operating system

Typescript can run on any browser or operating system just like JavaScript. It does not require any specific runtime environment.

Top TypeScript Advantages

TypeScript has got many advantages.

Here are the highlighting features that make it beneficial for the users.

1. Static typing

One of the highlighting benefits of TypeScript is Static Typing. It helps the developers to detect the bugs while they write the scripts. It helps the developers to write robust code and maintain it.

2. IntelliSense

An additional feature provided by TypeScript is IntelliSense. As code is added, IntelliSense provides active hints.

3. TypeScript compiler

It can compile the .ts files into Es3, ES4, and ES5.

4. Angular 2 uses TypeScript

TypeScript is used as a programming language by frameworks like Angular 2.

5. Refactoring is easy

Refactoring with TypeScript tools is both easier and faster.

6. Runs on any browser or operating system

TypeScript can run on any browser or operating system.

7. Easy to write object-oriented code

Using TypeScript pure object-oriented code can be written with little knowledge.

8. TypeScript and JavaScript are similar

Any JavaScript libraries or code can be included in the TypeScript work.

Challenges of TypeScript

TypeScript is beneficial in many aspects but it faces some challenges such as

1. Features not available

Some features available in JavaScript are not available in TypeScript. For example, features like Composition, Generics with Higher Kinded Types, HOFs, etc are not available in TypeScript.

2. Time Consuming

TypeScript takes too much time to compile the code.

3. Running TypeScript on the browser

When TypeScript has to run on the browser, the compilation needs to be done from TypeScript to JavaScript.

4. Abstract classes

Abstract classes are not supported by TypeScript.

5. Third-party library definitions

TypeScript does not contain all the third-party library definitions. If it is to be used in TypeScript, the developers should use, create and maintain their library.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭

Since TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, let’s see how TypeScript is different from JavaScript.

Following are the points that differentiate TypeScript from JavaScript:

TypeScript	JavaScript
It was launched in 2012.	It was created in 1995.
It is a superset of JavaScript.	It is an implementation of the ECMA script language.
Typescript is not an object-oriented programming language. But typescript supports Object-oriented programming.	It is a prototype-based language.
Static typing is a feature in TypeScript.	Static typing is not a feature.
It supports interfaces.	It does not support interfaces.
It is best suited for large web applications.	It is suited for small projects.

What’s new?

TypeScript 4.7 is now available with exciting features. It was announced on May 24, 2022.

New Features

• ECMA module support in Node.js
• Control over Module Detection
• Control flow analysis for Bracketed element access
• Object method snippet completion
• Improved function inference in Objects and Methods

Did you know?

According to the Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey 2021, TypeScript is the seventh most popular language as ranked by 83000 developers approximately, and the second technology that developers love to work with.

According to the Popularity of Programming Language Index (PYPL Index), TypeScript ranks eighth among 28 other languages. PYPL Index is created by analyzing how often a language tutorial is searched on Google. It is assumed that the more the language tutorial is searched, the more popular will be the language.

The above data reveals that TypeScript is popular in the world. It is developing each year and is loved among developers. The relevance of TypeScript in 2022 is undisputed and its popularity will continue.

For a hassle-free coding experience, approach the developers at Webdura.
Let’s have a happy coding time together.