Why I Started Using TypeScript?

Why I Started Using TypeScript

TypeScript has become increasingly popular in the world of web development. It is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and other features to the language. After using JavaScript for several years, I decided to give TypeScript a try, and I haven't looked back since. In this article, I will discuss the reasons why I started using TypeScript and why I believe it is worth learning.

TypeScript is More Predictable

One of the main reasons I started using TypeScript is because it adds more predictability to my code. With static typing, TypeScript can catch errors at compile time instead of runtime. This means that I can catch and fix errors before my code even runs, saving me time and frustration. Here is an example of how TypeScript can catch a type error:

function addNumbers(a: number, b: number) {
  return a + b;
}

addNumbers(2, "2"); // Type error: Argument of type '"2"' is not assignable to parameter of type 'number'.

In this example, I accidentally passed a string instead of a number to the addNumbers function. TypeScript caught this error at compile time and prevented my code from running.

TypeScript Helps with Code Maintenance

Another reason I started using TypeScript is because it helps with code maintenance. With its type annotations, TypeScript makes it easier to understand what a function or variable is supposed to do. This can make it easier to refactor code or add new features without breaking existing code. Here is an example:

interface Person {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

function getPersonName(person: Person) {
  return person.name;
}

const person = { name: "John", age: 30 };
getPersonName(person); // Returns "John"

person.age = "30"; // Type error: Type '"30"' is not assignable to type 'number'.

In this example, I defined an interface Person that describes the shape of a person object. I then defined a function getPersonName that takes a Person object and returns the person's name. By using TypeScript's type annotations, I can be sure that the getPersonName function will always receive a Person object with a name property. If I try to assign a string to the age property of the person object, TypeScript will catch this error at compile time.

TypeScript Offers Better Tooling

TypeScript also offers better tooling compared to plain JavaScript. With TypeScript, I can take advantage of powerful code editors like Visual Studio Code that offer intelligent code completion, error highlighting, and other helpful features. TypeScript also integrates well with build tools like webpack and rollup, making it easy to bundle and optimize my code. Here is an example of how TypeScript can improve code completion:

interface Person {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

const people: Person[] = [
  { name: "John", age: 30 },
  { name: "Jane", age: 25 },
];

people[0]. // Code completion shows available properties: "name" and "age".

In this example, I defined an array of Person objects. When I type people[0]., TypeScript shows me a list of available properties for the Person object, making it easier to write code.

Conclusion

Overall, I started using TypeScript because it adds more predictability to my code, helps with code maintenance, and offers better tooling compared to plain JavaScript. TypeScript may have a learning curve, but I believe it is worth the investment for developers who want to write more reliable and maintainable code. If you haven't tried TypeScript yet, I encourage you to try it on your next project.

Why I Started Using TypeScript?