TypeScript is the new JavaScript. Yeah, You have heard right. TypeScript, which is the superset of JavaScript has achieved a surge and is becoming the go-to language for the development of every large application. The feature of detecting the bug while typing code makes it unique. As per the research, almost 60% of JavaScript developers already use TypeScript.
Providing syntax for types is a key feature of TypeScript with which its name has been implemented “TypeScript”. Even tech giants like Microsoft and Accenture are migrating toward TypeScript because of its functionalities and features. Communicating tools like Slack and Asana use TypeScript for their implementation. Developers who work on technologies like Angular, React and Vue uses TypeScript. For better productivity, TypeScript is preferred because it is better for collaboration. So, when there is so much about TypeScript, you should know the reason why you should pick TypeScript over JavaScript.
Points to Note:
- A .ts extension is used to save a TypeScript file.
- A JavaScript file saved with a .ts extension works perfectly fine as a TypeScript file.
- TypeScript is preferred for server-side programming language.
- TypeScript is recommended for building large-scale applications.
- It is statically typed i.e. unless you give the type of the variable, the code will not run which makes error detection easy.
Without much ado, Let’s discuss the 8 Reasons Why You Should Pick TypeScript Over JavaScript:
1. Best For Creating Big Applications
TypeScript is considered the best programming language for implementing large-scale or enterprise-level applications. Due to its ‘type’ feature, it becomes easily understandable for developers to read which in return takes less time in implementation whereas this is not the case with JavaScript. Also, its feature of detecting bugs while typing makes it efficient and less time-consuming. For large applications, TypeScript helps in easily catching mistakes with its type system which eventually makes easy development and maintains the project with fewer bugs. Even Slack uses TypeScript.
Airbnb has recently made thought to make TypeScript its official language after discovering that TypeScript prevents bugs/errors which could make the application efficient. It highlights the error then and there while typing which executes the production rapidly.
This states that using TypeScript as the primary language for big application implementation could be of great help.
2. Classes Behave the Same as Python, C++
If you have an understanding of Python and C++ classes, then you should know that TypeScript behaves the same way. Unlike JavaScript, TypeScript behaves the same, especially in the case of using “this” keyword and defining methods. The arrow function methods come with abstract classes and member visibility which offers a reliable, type-safe application model. TypeScript supports OOPS concepts and also helps in server-side development.
3. Frameworks Encourage TypeScript
These days various frameworks like React, Angular, NestJS, and VueJS support TypeScript. Even Angular has its primary language as TypeScript. TypeScript is JavaScript with extra features and also supports ECMAScript. All JavaScript frameworks are configurable in working with TypeScript. Because of its statically typed and easy code detecting feature, it is supported by frameworks to produce better quality code. Implementing OOPS concepts becomes easy with TypeScript which gives you the reason to use it over JavaScript.
4. Reliable and Explicit
TypeScript codes are more refactorable and reliable than JavaScript. Refactoring allows restructuring of the code to make necessary changes whenever and wherever needed and is reliable because it provides better executive results. It helps in reducing the complexity of the code. TypeScript is explicit because it provides a “type” feature, every line written gives a meaning which makes it more understandable and clear. Since it detects the error while typing the chance of executing a less optimized solution is rare.
5. Interchangeable
Since JavaScript is a subset of TypeScript thus, you can use all JavaScript code and libraries in your TypeScript code. You can understand by the fact that a file when written in JavaScript, saved with a .ts extension (for TypeScript) works completely fine. Every line of code written in JavaScript is a TypeScript code, but not every line of code written in TypeScript is a JavaScript code. Interchangeable means you can acquire TypeScript in your codebase of JavaScript. Just an addition of types to every module is needed in a JavaScript file to make a TypeScript file.
6. Type Hinting/TypeCasting
TypeScript follows TypeCasting which brings the reason to use it over JavaScript. To resolve the query easily in no time, it shows the error while writing. With TypeCasting, it also becomes easy to convert a variable of one type to another. TypeCasting allows you to change a variable type as per the requirement then and there. Using the “as” keyword or <> operator is suitable for type castings. Also, it gives you hints when you get stuck while writing code thus, it becomes easy. At the time of development, TypeScript displays the compilation error.
7. Promotes a Better Development of Knowledge
TypeScript is very easy to understand and re-write, it becomes easy for developers to work even after gaps. Every line has a comment feature where you can comment while typing code, for future use. For enterprise-level applications, we have more developers working on the application development which can create a mess but with the type feature, it becomes easy to debug. This also brings better opportunities for collaboration because any developer can easily understand the codebase and start making changes as per the requirements. This, in return, promotes better knowledge and also could return efficient output.
8. Targets multiple browsers
It’s better to choose a language that is compatible with all browsers, rather than checking to let the application work on different browsers one by one. That’s the case with TypeScript. You write code once and TypeScript takes care of which browser it should target. It follows the process of compiling the TypeScript to JavaScript and then runs on browsers. So, eventually, it supports all browsers which support JavaScript. This makes it the best reason to use it over JavaScript because of its compatibility with all web browsers.
