Prerequisites:
Why do we need TypeScript when we have JavaScript?
JavaScript, initially designed as a client-side language, expanded to server-side use. However, its growing complexity and limitations in Object-Oriented Programming hindered its enterprise adoption. To address this, TypeScript was created to enhance JavaScript, providing static typing and features for robust enterprise-level server-side development.
Features of TypeScript:
- Transpilation to JavaScript: TypeScript code is transpiled into JavaScript for browser interpretation, enabling browsers to read and display the code.
- JavaScript to TypeScript Conversion: Code in JavaScript can be converted to TypeScript by changing the file extension from .js to .ts.
- Versatile TypeScript Usage: TypeScript can be compiled to run on any browser, device, or operating system, making it adaptable to diverse environments.
- JavaScript Library Support: TypeScript seamlessly supports existing JavaScript code, allows the integration of popular JavaScript libraries, and facilitates calling TypeScript code from native JavaScript.
Difference between TypeScript and JavaScript:
- TypeScript is known as an Object-oriented programming language whereas JavaScript is a prototype-based language.
- TypeScript has a feature known as Static typing but JavaScript does not support this feature.
- TypeScript supports Interfaces but JavaScript does not.
| Feature | TypeScript | JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Typing | Provides static typing |
Dynamically typed |
| Tooling | Comes with IDEs and code editors |
Limited built-in tooling |
| Syntax | Similar to JavaScript, with additional features |
Standard JavaScript syntax |
| Compatibility | Backward compatible with JavaScript |
Cannot run TypeScript in JavaScript files |
| Debugging | Stronger typing can help identify errors |
May require more debugging and testing |
| Learning curve | Can take time to learn additional features |
Standard JavaScript syntax is familiar |
Advantages of using TypeScript over JavaScript
- TypeScript always points out the compilation errors at the time of development (pre-compilation). Because of this getting runtime errors is less likely, whereas JavaScript is an interpreted language.
- TypeScript supports static/strong typing. This means that type correctness can be checked at compile time. This feature is not available in JavaScript.
- TypeScript is nothing but JavaScript and some additional features i.e. ES6 features. It may not be supported in your target browser but the TypeScript compiler can compile the .ts files into ES3, ES4, and ES5 also.
Disadvantages of using TypeScript over JavaScript
- Generally, TypeScript takes time to compile the code.
JavaScript is best known for web page development but it is also used in a variety of non-browser environments. You can learn JavaScript from the ground up by following this JavaScript Tutorial and JavaScript Examples.