TypeScript – JavaScript that scales.
The world of technology is so vast today and still expanding rapidly. All thanks to new innovation and their introduction time to time. Among many technologies, “TypeScript” is latest coding language introduced by Microsoft. Questions come to mind that was JavaScript not enough? Do developers really feel the need of a new language when they have several other advanced languages like Dart, CoffeeScript, etc., with additional functionality?
However, technology is at our front and now we can reason out that sometimes it is not about choosing the best technology, but the technology that best addresses your requirement. Microsoft’s new language 'TypeScript' has availed huge popularity since its launch due to its suitability in the development of large applications.
When it comes to a web application and client-side development, JavaScript is the only option. JavaScript is the only client side language universally supported by all browsers. As time demands to focus on web applications with “write once, run everywhere”, the size and complexity of the modern client-side web apps have noticeably outgrown the capabilities of JavaScript.
It is said that JavaScript will never be replaced by a better suited language, because it would be a significant challenge to convince all of the browser vendors to universally agree on and adopt a new language. This realization has prompted different groups to bring forth the solutions that compile existing or entirely new languages with a JavaScript code instead of being used on their own. That's where TypeScript is an attempt of Microsoft to build upon JavaScript due to the challenges while dealing with complex programming.
Compatibility with JavaScript
TypeScript is described as a super-set of JavaScript aimed to develop large scale JavaScript applications. It adds optional static typing and class-based object-oriented programming aligned with ECMAScript 6 standard proposal. Microsoft’s new language is essentially syntax for the next version of JavaScript. It allows developers to write regular JavaScript inside of TypeScript. It addresses many concerns of JavaScript by having functionality of enhanced type annotations, classes, and modules.
TypeScript IDE
While dealing with large programs, developing and debugging the JavaScript is kind of a grueling task for developers. TypeScript offers solution for this. It enables IDEs such as Visual Studio to create a richer environment that allows spotting common errors as you type the code. Static checking, symbol based navigation, and code validations are few robust reasons that TypeScript is gaining quick adoption among developers.
TypeScript Compiler
The TypeScript Compiler named “tsc” ensures TypeScript is compiled into clean, simple JavaScript code which runs on any browser, in Node.js or in any JavaScript engine that supports ECMAScript3 or newer.
Static code analysis catches human errors
By enforcing a certain degree of correctness at the compile time, the static type system of TypeScript improves the code by making it easier to read. TypeScript makes use of both interfaces and classes giving shorter, easier to read and easier to debug code than the prototypes used by JS. Once we add a few annotations, the editor starts to light up with potential errors and suggestions making it really easy for the developers to correct their code.
TypeScript makes refactoring easy
TypeScript supports static typing and this facility lets it to perform many advanced refactoring operations, including global renaming, reference searching and code completion. It is organized in an object oriented way, which makes it easier for OO programmers to use.
TypeScript is not the answer for everything. Like any other language, TypeScript also has flaws. TypeScript cannot run directly in a browser with a plug-in or even on a server. You always need to translate it into JavaScript. This transpilation adds performance penalty in systems where milliseconds and even microseconds matter!
But like React.js, TypeScript is one of those influential technologies that is pushing the boundaries of our web development. Whether you use TypeScript or not, it doesn’t hurt to try it out in order to develop your own opinions on it. It has a learning curve, but if you already know JavaScript, it will be a smooth one. With TypeScript 2.3 RC launched 2 weeks back, the development roadmap looks promising.
There is no one best language overall. But for each individual project, there is probably one objectively best language and library and framework and database. Talk to an expert to see if it makes sense to use TypeScript in your current or upcoming project.