Programmers often have to use different types of technologies to build websites. For example, JavaScript is a very flexible and portable language that can be used in the case of backend and front-end frameworks. Later another technology called TypeScript was developed.
JavaScript is a multi-paradigm and a dynamic programming language, whereas TypeScript is a static programming language. Therefore, the webpages are written using JavaScript and run automatically immediately after the page reloads. On the other hand, in the case of TypeScript, the files are compiled first, and then js files are generated. After that, the file is executed on the server.
JavaScript has been capturing the web development market for a long time; however, since changing technology, TypeScript has been gaining popularity, and it is considered the advanced form of JavaScript.
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages all over the world. It finds extensive usage in the world of web development through its libraries and frameworks like react Js, angular, vanilla JavaScript, next js, etc. It is also used extensively in game development, blockchain technology, etc.
What is Typescript?
TypeScript is a strongly typed, object-oriented, compiled, and open-source programming language developed by Microsoft. One can visualize TypeScript as nothing but a superset of JavaScript. However, the code written in Typescript is more compact, clear, and concise.
It can support all the libraries and frameworks of JavaScript, just like JavaScript, and it can be used both on the server-side and the client-side of the web.
Some of the key features of TypeScript are as follows:
- TypeScript can support both dynamic as well as static typing.
- Like Python, Java, and most other popular languages, etc., it also has the concept of inheritance, classes, objects, namespaces, etc.
- Like JavaScript, it can run on the console and Node.js.
- One can use many third-party header parties for performing many tasks, just like in C++. These third-party libraries include jQuery,D3.js MongoDB etc.
Why was TypeScript developed despite the presence of JavaScript?
JavaScript was initially made to meet the needs of the client-side of web development. However, soon it was realized that JavaScript could also be used as a server-side programming language. However, it was imperfect as it was never built for the purpose.
It was soon realized that the code written in JavaScript becomes unusually complex and extremely difficult to maintain on the server-side. Also, the optimization of the code for the usage was another issue. Therefore, TypeScript was developed to develop both the front end and the back end of the web.
The domain where TypeScript is used:
The TypeScript was designed to meet the requirement of both the front end and the backend. Hence it is used both on the server-side and the client-side of the web. However, it is more optimized and used for the client-side than the server-side of the web.
Features of TypeScript:
- TypeScript supports some additional features of JavaScript like it is an object-oriented programming language.
- Compatibility: TypeScript is compatible with all versions of JavaScript like ES7, ES12, etc. It can also compile the completed code from ES7 to ES5 and vice versa. As a result, there is no compatibility issue.
- Static typing: The term static typing means the programmer has to define the variable’s data type. The programming languages like C++, Java, etc, support static typing, whereas python supports dynamic typing.
Although dynamic typing is easier for the coders but static typing helps in earlier bug detection, a faster compilation of the code, etc. Hence TypeScript is a relatively quicker language.
- Much easier to maintain as compared to JavaScript
- Supports a broader range of IDE.
TypeScript vs JavaScript: Difference
Learning curve
TypeScript is not independent of JavaScript. It can be visualized as the superscript of JavaScript. Hence to start TypeScript, one needs to have some basic ideas about JavaScript. Also, because it is an object-oriented language, the user needs to learn the object-oriented programming language.
Community
The community of TypeScript is gaining popularity at a rapid pace. It has already gained a lot of popularity within a concise period of time. The user, therefore, can get an ample amount of video tutorials and documentation for learning.
The JavaScript language, on the other hand, has poor community support. Mainly it is used along with many frameworks for which documentation, tutorials, etc., are available.
Performance
The typeScript was developed mainly to reduce the complex nature of the JavaScript code on the server-side. Hence, TypeScript saves development time and helps easier maintenance of the code. The code is also more concise, compact, etc.
Note: The TypeScript code is converted into JavaScript code before execution.
The difference in syntax:
The TypeScript offers variable declaration, functional paradigm, etc. JavaScript does not provide such a facility.
Frameworks and libraries
The Microsoft community develops TypeScript, and it has a lot of editors and frameworks that help in error detection.
When to use TypeScript over JavaScript?
When any website has complex databases, there is a very high chance of an error in the runtime. So, it is better to use TypeScript instead of the JavaScript code in such a situation because the TypeScript would first be compiled into JavaScript code. If there is any error during the process, the error is resolved.
Advantages of TypeScript over JavaScript
There are a lot of advantages of TypeScript over JavaScript that one can think of. The following points demonstrate the same:
- Typescript supports static typing. As a result, it is much easier to debug the codes.
- The TypeScript code is first converted into JavaScript code and then executed. As a result, while debugging, the code becomes error-free. On the other hand, JavaScript is based on an interpreter and hence is slow and does not offer these debugging features.
- It is portable and platform-independent. It can also various run-on versions of the Js library; hence is considered more compatible to work with.
Can TypeScript replace JavaScript?
TypeScript cannot fully replace JavaScript because TypeScript is not meant to be used for all purposes. However, JavaScript is a fundamental programming language in the software industry.
Typescript is not used in the web industry directly. Although it is easier to code in TypeScript, it is much easier to debug in JavaScript; hence the TypeScript is converted into corresponding JavaScript code.
In conclusion, we can say TypeScript cannot replace JavaScript.
Niva Shah is a Software Engineer with over eight years of experience. She has developed a strong foundation in computer science principles and a passion for problem-solving.
Best article on javascript vs typescript so far.Made each and every point clear .Thank you sir !