If you have been in the realm of web development, you must have heard the names: TypeScript and JavaScript. As we all know, both are programming/scripting languages. JavaScript has been an old-timer in this field. On the contrary, TypeScript came around in 2012. So, it’s still pretty much a rookie in the game. Yet TypeScript has gathered a lot of popularity over the years, especially because JavaScript was proving to be too complex when it came to large-scale apps. People putting these two against each other and discussing TypeScript vs. JavaScript is nothing new. This write-up seeks to identify the differences between the two scripting languages.
TypeScript vs. JavaScript – What are the key differences?
Essentially, the JavaScript codes you’ve written will work just fine with TypeScript. That means any JS file you saved utilizing the .ts extension won’t show any abnormalities while running. However, from that, we should never conclude that both these programming languages are alike. But before we start comparing the two languages, let us first explain a few things regarding the languages themselves.
JavaScript overview
JavaScript is among the most renowned core technologies on the web. Netscape, in association with Sun Microsystems, created this scripting language. Since its inception, JS has been a vital element of web applications. JS makes web pages vibrant and interactive. For a long time, JavaScript was a client-side implementation. But today, many new JavaScript engines contain server-side implementations as well. While using JS, you will find that its syntax and standard libraries are very much like Java. For a novice web developer, JavaScript is perhaps the best option to learn to code.
Here are numerous exciting features of JS –
- Flexible, vibrant, and works across platforms
- Has both server-side and client-side facilities
- Lightweight interpreted
- Works fine with all browsers
- JIT compilation
- Has a weak typing
TypeScript Overview
Now that we have explained JS, let us take a quick look at TS. TypeScript has a purpose not distinct from JavaScript, but it is mainly utilised for developing large-scale apps. For your information, TS trans compiles to JS. Its programming language structure is object-oriented. And, it supports features such as namespaces, inheritance, classes, etc. Also, developers can statically type in TS via type annotations. So, that’s a serious plus point.
Unlike JavaScript, TypeScript utilises strong typing. Therefore, TS is a better choice for debugging than JS. This makes TypeScript ideal for large-scale projects. Typescript programs include modules, comments, variables, statements, and so on – much like any other full-grown scripting language.
Listed are a few of TypeScript’s key features –
- Maintenance is simple and boosts project output
- Allows static typing and annotations
- Object-oriented feature (for example interface, classes, etc.) assistance
- ES6 (ECMAScript) support providing easier syntax to manage objects and inheritance features
- Easier to debug and fast error discovery
- Decent IDE support
Is TypeScript a better alternative to JavaScript?
Now, from the above discussion, you might wonder if TypeScript is superior to JavaScript. Well, no, not at all. TypeScript cannot replace JavaScript entirely. In fact, JavaScript is still the most preferred client-side scripting language. For small-scale projects, using TypeScript could be an extra hassle as the process of trans compiling the JS code into TS is time-consuming.
TypeScript vs. JavaScript – Head to Head Comparison
Now, let us see TypeScript vs. JavaScript below:
- TypeScript is a superset of JS to eliminate the trouble regarding large-scale projects. On the other hand, JS is a scripting language that assists in making dynamic web page content.
- TypeScript helps find and fix errors during the compile time. JavaScript, on the contrary, doesn’t have such a function and thus, you could find errors only when you run it.
- TS utilizes strong typing, while JS utilises weak typing.
- TypeScript supports ES3, 4, 5, and 6. On the other hand, JavaScript offers no such support.
- You can convert .ts codes into .js codes to make them work in browsers. Contrarily, you would be able to use .js codes directly in your web browser.
- Being a superset, TypeScript lets all JS libraries and codes work fine without any modifications. On the other hand, in the case of JavaScript, JS libraries are the default working option.
- In TypeScript, functions are capable of having optional parameters. Conversely, JavaScript offers no such facilities.
- TS is a strong, interactive language, while JS is a minimal, clean scripting language that is most ideal for developing small-scale, simple web apps.
- Typescript considers numbers, strings, etc., as interfaces. JavaScript, on the contrary, considers them as objects.
- You can prototype in TypeScript, while in JavaScript, you cannot.
- Learning TypeScript is difficult and time-consuming with programming knowledge is a must. Contrarily, learning JavaScript is way easier and demands no prior scripting knowledge.
Conclusion
You now have a thorough understanding of both TypeScript and JavaScript. You must have established a thought regarding which of these two libraries is superior after acquiring the basic facts about their functions. Instead of being compared to JavaScript, TypeScript can be seen as a modified version of it. Remember that JavaScript has never, and will never, lose its importance as a programming language for Amazon programmers. However, if you’re going to take on a major project, TypeScript is a viable option. But a knowledgeable programmer will never think of these two programming languages. Rather, he would prefer making the most out of these two programming languages to develop his project in the best manner.
Presenting the gist of the entire article to you, JavaScript is suitable for beginner developers, while TypeScript, the moderated and advanced library, is a preferred option for experts. As you have a clear knowledge of these two languages, it’s your call which one you pick. Also, your choice must match your programming efficiency and experience. Often, developers put themselves at risk as they attempt to do something exceptional with TypeScript and end up failing. Make sure that doesn’t happen to you too. Make a wise decision, put your knowledge to use, and finish your programming project smartly.
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