Their names sound similar, and it’s not without a reason. JavaScript and Typescript are closely related, with one being a more rigid and demanding version of the other. In this article, we will cover the key differences between those and tell a bit about their applications. Whether you’re facing a dilemma about which one to choose or are just curious about this topic, keep reading to find out about these two!
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JavaScript and its impact
Even if you are not interested in programming, when asked about the programming languages you know, you would probably first mention JavaScript. The times it was introduced, JS was a true revelation, enabling a transformation of the Internet, from the static Web 1.0 to dynamic Web 2.0. It quickly became one of the most popular languages out there, powering the development of websites, applications, and games.
Even today, when we’re experiencing the transition to the decentralized Web 3.0, it doesn’t look like this evolution is going against JavaScript’s favor. Quite the contrary – it is still one of if not the most powerful programming languages in use.
What comes in JavaScript’s favor is the extensive community support and a broad scope of frameworks and libraries. Looking at GitHub’s repository, you can see, how much choice JavaScript developers have. That means they can cut corners in project development, using existing resources as a basis for their product and saving a lot of time. From the business perspective, that obviously means fewer expenses.
However, there’s something that JavaScript doesn’t have – or rather a few things, and TypeScript fills this gap, offering the developers the solutions to a few major issues. What is the difference between typescript and JavaScript?
3 key differences between Typescript and JavaScript
Although similar at their core, these two have some key differences. We listed them to make it easier to choose a more suitable tool for your project.
Compilation
JavaScript is an interpreted language, and TypeScript is a compiled one. That means the first one is executed directly by web browsers or JS engines, while the other requires an additional compilation to JavaScript. That means that TypeScript adds another layer of complexity, and because of that, developers may think in JS’s favor.
Typing
JavaScript is dynamically typed, while TypeScript is statically typed. Both modalities have their benefits and disadvantages, so it’s worth analyzing them through the lens of your project before you make a final decision regarding your tech stack.
Dynamic typing is more flexible, but could potentially lead to more runtime errors. Static typing, on the other hand, makes it easier to keep the code in good shape. As you thoroughly define the function parameters, variables, and return values, there is less room for errors. And even if you make some, you can detect them much more easily with TypeScript than with JavaScript.
That means TypeScript could save you money spent in the development process and prevent the demand for refactoring in the further phases of your project.
Language features
As we already mentioned, JavaScript and TypeScript are closely related. You could refer to the TypeScript as a younger cousin, inheriting some great features from the older one, but also having something unique about it. We already mentioned that TypeScript is statically typed, but there are other language features that separate it from JS, like classes and modules. Because of them, the code becomes much clearer.
The developers appreciate it, particularly when it comes to scaling. Once the application gains complexity, every issue with clarity and the organization of the code escalates, making it much harder to work. So, if you are already thinking about the future growth of your product, it might be a good decision to go for TypeScript right away.
Note that TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, meaning any valid JavaScript code is also valid TypeScript code. Your devs will easily transition to TS if they already know JS so you won’t waste much on training – and the benefits may be substantial. It may be worth trying it out!