Guide to TypeScript vs JavaScript: Which Language to Use?

JavaScript has been one of the most popular programming languages since it was created in 1995. It has remained the staple language of web development, and despite its age, it’s still highly relevant in the world of web development today.

However, with the addition of Typescript to development cycles, developers now have another language to add to their skill sets that could make you more valuable as an employee or freelancer. This blog will provide an overview of TypeScript vs JavaScript that will help you decide which language to use in your next web app development project.

What are the differences between TypeScript and JavaScript?

TypeScript is a typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript, and it adds optional static typing and class-based object-oriented programming to the language. This post will explore some of the differences between these two languages so you can decide which one suits your needs best.

Why should you learn TypeScript?

TypeScript supports various types like string, number, boolean, and other data types like enum and union. Compile-time checking means no runtime errors on the client side. Further, stronger type system with interfaces to define an object’s shape before it’s used in code helps prevent errors caused by mismatched types at runtime.

Types are designed for JavaScript developers, so you can use features like Generics, Nullable Types, Default Parameters and Overloading just as you would in Java or C#.

Who uses TypeScript?

Microsoft, Google, and other big tech companies use TypeScript. 

Why? 

Because it’s a superset of JavaScript that includes additional features like static typing and support for class-based programming, these features make TypeScript code more predictable and easier to debug.

Many developers who use TypeScript say it has helped them avoid errors in their code. And since TypeScript is just JavaScript, you can still work with the entire JS ecosystem if you want to.

Features of TypeScript

TypeScript offers classes, modules, and interfaces to help you build robust components. TypeScript is open source andCross-platform Language. 

The key features of TypeScript are Static typing, Class-based object-oriented programming, Decorators support, Modules support and Interface support.

• TypeScript provides a rich type system including primitive types, complex types (for example, record types), union types, intersection types and type guards. 
• TypeMscript supports class-based object oriented programming with inheritance and encapsulation. 
• Decorators can be used for dependency injection, metadata definition and more.

Advantages of TypeScript

TypeScript includes support for classes, interfaces, generics, and modules. With the help of annotations, it can detect bugs in your code before you run it. It also supports other languages, such as C# and Java.

These features are available in most modern IDEs, including Visual Studio Code, Atom, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDE Ultimate Edition and WebStorm from JetBrains. All these IDEs have built-in debugging tools, allowing quick fixes when needed. 

With time and experience with TypeScript, you will be able to tell what’s wrong with your code even before running it.

How does TypeScript Differ from JavaScript

Let us understand the differences when it comes to Typescript vs Javascript. 

TypeScript is a typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript. It offers classes, modules, and interfaces to help you build robust components. TypeScript is often used for large-scale applications and transpires down to older versions of JavaScript.

Javascript is a lightweight, interpreted programming language with object-oriented capabilities that allows developers to create dynamic web pages. With Node.js, JavaScript can be used to create servers using the event-driven, non-blocking I/O model (Node.js). 

Web developers typically use JavaScript in two ways: client-side development using top frontend frameworks like AngularJS or ReactJS, or on the server side using Node.js with frameworks like ExpressJS or Koa.

Benefits of TypeScript Over JavaScript

There are several benefits of using TypeScript over JavaScript. 

• TypeScript is a typed language that can catch errors at compile-time before the code is executed. This can save you much time and effort in debugging your code. 
• TypeScript has a better module system than JavaScript, which helps to organize your code better and makes it easier to reuse components.
• Provides type inference, which can help you write code more quickly and efficiently.
• Extensive toolset that can help you develop faster and easier. 
• More maintainable than JavaScript because it is easier to read and understand.

When to Choose JavaScript and TypeScript?

There are several factors to consider when choosing between JavaScript and TypeScript. First, consider the size and complexity of your project. If you’re working on a small project, JavaScript may be the better choice. However, if you’re working on a large or complex project, TypeScript may be a better option. 

Next, think about what languages you want to support in your project. JS is easier for beginners because it is more similar to other popular programming languages like Java and C++. 

On the other hand, TS is a superset of ES6, making it easy for developers who already know ES6 and those coming from languages like CoffeeScript and Python. 

Finally, ask yourself how many people will need access to your code. Some developers prefer JavaScript because it’s compatible with all browsers and allows cross-browser debugging.

Typescript vs Javascript: Comparison

There are many differences between Typescript and Javascript. Typescript is a superset of Javascript, which means that it includes all of the features of Javascript and more. In contrast, Javascript is a subset of ECMAScript, a standard for scripting languages. Furthermore, Typescript is statically typed, while Javascript is dynamically typed. 

This means that in Typescript, variables must be declared with a specific type (e.g. number) before they can be used. If a variable is not given an explicit type, it will default to any. In contrast, Javascript variables do not need an explicit type. Variables in Typescript cannot change their types after they have been initialized, whereas this can happen in Javascript.

Conclusion

Typescript vs Javascript is a never ending battle. While both have pros and cons, the answer ultimately comes down to business objectives and technical expertise. Typescript has more robust typing systems that your IDE can enforce, while Javascript doesn’t.

Typescript also has static type checking, whereas Javascript doesn’t have any type checking, so if you don’t want errors popping up as you code, this may be an essential factor for you.