Is TypeScript better than JavaScript?
The eminence of TypeScript has seen a sudden rise in the last couple of years. It was also dutifully mentioned in the five most promising languages with Angular, one of the prominent frameworks, using it as well. More than 50 percent of JS programmers use this.
Why do we need TypeScript when we already have JavaScript?
JavaScript was developed to fulfill as a client-side programming language. JavaScript could be used as a server-side programming language as well. However, with the immense growth in the community and its complex coding, JavaScript no longer fulfills the requirement of an Object-oriented programming language. Consequently, JS fails to provide itself as a server-side technology. Hence, TypeScript was developed by the development team to cover this gap.
What is TypeScript?
It is an open-source, superset of JavaScript” that has optional typing with plain execution to JavaScript code. Since of these two main features, all JS is syntactically validated TypeScript.But, this does not make the case that all JS can be processed by the TS compiler.
Features of TypeScript
**TypeScript is converted into Plain JS Code-
TypeScript code is translated into JS code because the browser can understand it in JS. Hence, it is compiled and converted and this process is called Trans-piled. ** **JS is TypeScript- **
JStypes code can be converted into TypeScript by simply changing the extension from .js to .ts
You can use TypeScript anywhere-
It can easily run anywhere. It does not adhere to any specific browser or operating system.
TypeScript supports JS libraries-
While using TypeScript, developers can use the existing JS code and incorporate the libraries as well.
What are the differences between TypeScript and JavaScript?
The chances of getting errors during the run-time are also few. is because TypeScript points to compilation errors during the developing process. Contrary to JS, as it is an interpreted language. TypeScript is a statically typed language and this is another reasoning for the same. This raises one question: why do we need to add static-typing to JavaScript?
There are three reasons for that.
One can acutely avoid the demonic error ‘undefined is not a function.You can refactor code without breaking it. It has made it easier to use a complex, large-scale system.
JavaScript being a dynamically typed language leads to some issues that TypeScript helps in serving. Dynamic typing leads to bugs and this leads to decreased efficiency.
Also, another differentiating factor between JS and TypeScript is that TypeScript has an interface whereas the other one does not have it.
Also, TypeScript has a better structure than JS. It is more concise than JS. JS is flexible as it is not limited to being a type system.
TypeScript is nothing but JS with additional features- ES6 features. It might not be supported in your target browser but through the TypeScript compiler, it can compile the .ts files into ES3, ES4, and ES5.
There are 3 reasons for choosing TypeScript over JavaScript-
Reliability- TypeScript is easier to refractor and more reliable in terms of the same. The developers easily overcome the error and can rewrite without worrying about debugs.
It is like giving you the choice of going ahead with the programming process as it fixes your minor errors that can cause trouble in your JavaScript codebase and also makes a new feedback loop to fix all the problems so that writing new code becomes easy.
Explicitly- TypeScript has this defining quality- it helps you focus on the structure of the system along with the fact that you can give your attention to how different parts of it interact with each other. Types also help you keep the context in mind and as a process, help you engage in the developing process.
Interchangeability- You can easily use all the JS libraries and code in your TypeScript code.
It needs to be noted that JS libraries have types in 2020 and definitely typed has a plethora of types. They are easily accommodated in JS libraries and you can slowly adopt TypeScript in your JS codebase.
Dealing with Large Projects- You can use TypeScript’s interfaces and access modifiers while communicating APIs.It benefits if you are working on large projects.
**One Drawback that is necessary to table- **
Switching to TypeScript would involve certain trade-offs and you need to realize that you might be saying that types offer in the long term. However, when seen at the glance of short-term value, it takes a lot of time to add the explicit Types offer. It does not favor Type in the context of small projects and JS wins the argument in this case.
Conclusion-
TypeScript is a great tool to have in your skillset. Quite pragmatic and welcoming, as a beginner you can easily engage with it and understand it without being intimidated by it. I am attaching two tutorials for help. I hope they help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCZhz0JCVx0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBPrJSw7yQA
