Lior Amsalem

TypeScript and JavaScript are both widely used programming languages, but they have distinct differences in terms of features, syntax, and usage. While javascript is a standalone language that can be use widely cross devices in many use cases and even browser side and server side. Typescript is a superset language that lay on top of javascript and is eventually transpired to javascript. The main difference between Javascript and Typescript are within the static and dynamic typing, error handling, catching bugs and errors during development time and pace of development.

Typescript Javascript

let’s dig into few key features between typescript and javascript so we could better understand and distinguish between the two.

Feature	TypeScript	JavaScript
Static Typing	TypeScript is statically typed.	JavaScript is dynamically typed.
Tooling	TypeScript provides advanced tooling support.	JavaScript has limited tooling capabilities.
Compatibility	TypeScript code needs transpilation to JavaScript.	JavaScript code runs directly in browsers.
Language Features	TypeScript extends JavaScript with additional features like static typing, interfaces, and generics.	JavaScript is a versatile language supporting various programming paradigms.
Error Handling	TypeScript performs type checking at compile-time, catching errors before runtime.	JavaScript relies on runtime error handling.
Adoption and Community	TypeScript has a growing community and is popular in large-scale web applications and enterprise development.	JavaScript has a massive developer community and is widely used across various domains.

5 Pros of Typescript

There are few pros when it comes down to using Typescript over Javascript, however there are also cons that need to be considered. For example writing more code, code can be complicated, learning curve could be difficult for some engineers and Typescript covers a lot of cases but not al of them. Now let’s read some of the pros of Typescript

1. Static Typing: TypeScript introduces static typing, allowing developers to specify variable types. This feature helps catch type-related errors early in the development process, leading to more robust and maintainable code. Static typing also enhances code readability and provides better tooling support for code navigation, auto-completion, and refactoring.
2. Enhanced Code Quality: By incorporating static typing and additional features like interfaces, enums, and generics, TypeScript enables developers to write cleaner, more expressive code. This results in improved code quality, reduced bugs, and easier maintenance, especially in large-scale projects where codebase complexity is high.
3. Better Developer Productivity: TypeScript’s advanced tooling support, including features like intelligent code completion, type inference, and error checking, enhances developer productivity. TypeScript’s ability to catch errors at compile-time and provide real-time feedback in the development environment helps developers write code more confidently and efficiently.
4. Scalability and Maintainability: TypeScript’s static typing and type checking capabilities make it well-suited for large-scale applications. As projects grow in size and complexity, TypeScript helps ensure code stability, scalability, and maintainability by providing a clear and structured way to define types, interfaces, and modules.
5. Strong Community and Ecosystem: TypeScript benefits from a strong and active community of developers and contributors. This vibrant ecosystem includes a wide range of libraries, frameworks, and tools specifically designed for TypeScript development. Additionally, TypeScript is backed by major tech companies like Microsoft and Google, ensuring ongoing support, updates, and improvements to the language and its ecosystem.

5 Pros of Javascript

eventually typescript is convered to javascript and runs as a Javascript code at the end, however there are advantages and pros when it comes down to writing javascript code directly rather than using a superset language like typescript. here are some of those pros:

1. Wide Adoption and Compatibility: JavaScript is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. It’s supported by all major web browsers and can be used for both client-side and server-side development. JavaScript’s widespread adoption means there is a vast ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools available to developers.
2. Flexibility and Versatility: JavaScript is a versatile language that supports multiple programming paradigms, including procedural, functional, and object-oriented programming. It can be used to build a wide range of applications, from simple web pages to complex web applications, mobile apps, and even server-side applications.
3. Ease of Learning and Accessibility: JavaScript is relatively easy to learn, especially for beginners with prior programming experience. Its syntax is straightforward and intuitive, making it accessible to developers of all skill levels. Additionally, JavaScript’s ubiquity means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and online communities available to support learning and development.
4. Rapid Development and Prototyping: JavaScript enables rapid development and prototyping of web applications. Its dynamic nature allows developers to quickly iterate and experiment with code, making it ideal for agile development practices. JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js further streamline development by providing reusable components and tools for building interactive user interfaces.
5. Asynchronous Programming: JavaScript’s support for asynchronous programming using promises, async/await, and callback functions allows developers to write non-blocking, asynchronous code that can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This enables efficient handling of I/O operations, network requests, and other asynchronous tasks, leading to improved performance and responsiveness in web applications.

When To pick Which

Choosing between JavaScript and TypeScript depends on various factors, including project requirements, team expertise, and development goals. Here are some considerations to help you decide when to pick JavaScript and when to pick TypeScript, However take into account that such decision lays within the role of architect, CTO, tech lead, founder of a product etc and consider that those decision can change, factors might change and refactors at later stage could occur regardless of the decision:

Pick JavaScript When:

1. Quick Prototyping: If you need to build a simple or prototype application rapidly, JavaScript may be a better choice due to its minimal setup and ease of use.
2. Small Projects: For small-scale projects with a limited codebase and straightforward requirements, JavaScript’s dynamic typing and simplicity may suffice without the need for the additional overhead of TypeScript.
3. Beginner-Friendly: JavaScript is often preferred for beginners or developers new to programming, as its syntax is more forgiving and easier to grasp compared to TypeScript’s static typing and additional features.
4. Simple Web Pages: If you’re building basic web pages or websites with minimal interactivity, JavaScript may be sufficient without the need for TypeScript’s advanced features.

Pick TypeScript When:

1. Large-Scale Projects: For large-scale applications with complex codebases, TypeScript’s static typing and advanced features provide better code organization, maintainability, and scalability over time.
2. Type Safety: If type safety and catching errors early in the development process are essential requirements for your project, TypeScript’s static typing offers significant advantages over JavaScript’s dynamic typing.
3. Team Collaboration: In team-based development environments, TypeScript promotes better collaboration and code consistency by enforcing type annotations, interfaces, and other TypeScript-specific features.
4. Integration with Frameworks and Libraries: Many popular frontend frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue.js, have official TypeScript support and offer enhanced tooling and development experience when used with TypeScript.
5. Code Refactoring and Tooling: TypeScript’s rich tooling ecosystem, including features like code navigation, intelligent code completion, and refactoring tools, enhances developer productivity and makes code maintenance and refactoring more straightforward.