Hey everyone!👋
When developers hear about TypeScript for the first time, the same doubts, questions and confusion always show up. And that's completely normal, TypeScript can seem complicated at first. It might even feel like you're writing extra code compared to plain JavaScript, or that your code is already clear enough without it.
But in reality, TypeScript is a tool that helps us write safe, cleaner, and more understandable code.
Think of TypeScript like walking on a tightrope with a safety net🙃(compiler). If you make a mistake, the net(TS) catches you instantly and tells you exactly where things went wrong, long before the audience(your users) ever sees a problem.
JavaScript on the other hand, is like walking that tightrope without a safety net, you move fast, but even a tiny mistake(a comma, a misspelled method, an unexpected type) can bring your whole program crashing down at runtime.
If you're already using TypeScript, your code is in good hands👏, and hopefully this article will reinforce why adopting it was the right decision!
If you're not using TypeScript yet but you're thinking about introducing it in the future, I hope this article helps you make a confident choice!
In this article, we will talk about:
- What TypeScript actually is?
- TypeScript or JavaScript!?
- Should you learn TypeScript or JavaScript first?
- Why TypeScript is worth using?
- What to watch out for when learning TypeScript?
1. What TypeScript actually is?
TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, meaning it's an extended version of JavaScript. This means that any valid JavaScript code is also valid TypeScript code, so it's not an entirely new language!
In other words, JavaScript is a flexible language but lacks strict checks, while TypeScript is still JavaScript, just enhanced with a static type system. This helps us avoid mistakes before we even run the code by telling the program exactly what kind of data we expect (number, string, object...).
It's like installing an alarm system in our code that warns us ahead of time: Careful something doesn't match here!⚠️
2. TypeScript or JavaScript!?
We often fall into the trap of comparing TypeScript with JavaScript, as if the two were competitors fighting for the same spot. But this is actually the wrong way to look at it. TypeScript shouldn't be seen as something opposite to JavaScript, it should be seen as a tool for JavaScript, something that works alongside it, enhances it, and never replaces it.
The reason we tend to compare the two is because we assume TypeScript is another language trying to do what JavaScript already does. But TypeScript doesn't replace JavaScript, it builds on top of it.
Think of JavaScript as the engine of a car, powerful, capable, and essential. TypeScript is not a different engine. It’s more like adding navigation, sensors, and safety features. You’re still driving the same car, but now it guides you, warns you, and protects you from mistakes before they happen.
So the right mindset isn't JavaScript OR TypeScript, but JavaScript WITH TypeScript! JavaScript runs the program. TypeScript helps us write it better.
Once you start using TypeScript, your perspective shifts. You stop seeing rivalry between them. It becomes clear: collaboration, not competition. An upgrade, not a replacement!
3. Should you learn TypeScript or JavaScript first!?
As we've discussed, it should be pretty clear by now that you should learn JavaScript first. Why❓Because if you don't understand at least the basic concepts of JS (variables, functions, objects, async, the DOM, and so on), TypeScript will feel confusing and difficult to use. Without a solid foundation in JavaScript, you have nothing to apply TypeScript's safety features to.
4. Why TypeScript is worth using?
Large companies and development teams use TypeScript to solve real problems and save valuable time. Some of the biggest benefits of TypeScript include:
→ Early error detection: more than 80% of common JavaScript errors are caught by the TypeScript compiler before we even run the code. This means less time spent debugging and more time building new features.
→ Increased productivity (IntelliSense): TypeScript gives us a far better coding experience in our editor (especially in VS Code).
→ Smart autocomplete: it knows exactly what properties an object has and gives precise suggestions.
→ Easy navigation: you can click on a function and instantly see its structure and definitions.
→ Easier teamwork:
Everyone on the team can clearly see what shape the data has, what parameters are required, and what can or cannot be null. This drastically reduces misunderstandings and mistakes.
→ Easier to maintain: TypeScript helps keep order and consistency in a codebase that has grown significantly, making scaling and refactoring far more manageable.
5. What to watch out for when learning TypeScript?
TypeScript is an amazing tool, but it also comes with some responsibilities that we don't really have in plain JavaScript. When learning it, we need to be mindful about what our code is actually doing and what types of data you expect.
→ We have to think about types:
In JavaScript, we can often get away with writing code without worrying too much about the type of a variable. In TypeScript, we are expected to be explicit about what our variables, functions, and objects are supposed to hold.
For example, a variable is a string or a number? TypeScript wants us to define it. This is great for catching mistakes, but it also means we need to understand our own code clearly.
→ TypeScript won't magically fix bad logic:
Just because we're using TypeScript doesn't mean our code is automatically correct. TS can warn you about type mismatches, but it can't know the intended behavior. We still need to understand what our functions are supposed to do and how our data flows.
→ Be careful with any:
The any type is like turning off TypeScript's safety net. It's useful for experimenting, but relying on it too much defeats the purpose of TypeScript. Learning TS means learning to avoid any whenever possible and embrace proper types.
→ Errors are our friends:
When the compiler complains, don't ignore it. TypeScript is designed to catch problems early, not annoy us. Paying attention to its warnings will save us hours of debugging later.
Learning TypeScript isn't just about syntax. It's about understanding our code deeply and being explicit about the shape of our data. The more we practice thinking in terms of types, the safer and more maintainable our code becomes!
Conclusion❤️
If you're already using TypeScript, I can safely say you're a professional bug fixer!😂🤗
And if you're thinking about trying TypeScript, especially if you're still wrestling with bugs hiding across your application, I hope this article gave you the confidence to take your first steps into it. Every developer grows by learning new tools, and TypeScript is definitely one that will make you stronger.
If you're just getting started, take it one step at a time, and remember, mastering TypeScript is a long-term investment that truly pays off.
Keep experimenting, keep learning, and allow yourself to make mistakes, TypeScript is watching you! 😂🙃
Thank you for your time, I’ll be back soon with more TypeScript articles. If you enjoyed this post, learned something new, or if it brought back a smile thinking about your first doubts with TypeScript, don't forget to like the post, leave a comment, and to follow me!
I would really appreciate it! Happy reading!🥰
Top comments (4)
Good introduction to TypeScript! It makes it easier to start with, it clears some misconceptions.
Just before deciding to learn TypeScript, I had a lot of doubt and fear. It was like, if I have to learn another programming language now, I am gonna break.
Luckily, after just starting I realized it's not something we should run away from. I actually encourage eveybody learning to code to get grasp of TypeScript as soon as possible. It just makes it easier.
Nice job! :)
Thank you @alexandru-ene-dev , for your time!🥰
It seems you qualify as a professional bug fixer! 😂🙃
I'm glad you're using TypeScript, and I totally understand your doubts, that's exactly why I wanted to write about them. Most likely, many of us had the same questions when we started.
Now that I'm using TypeScript, I almost wish I had learned it sooner!
But plain JavaScript still helps in the beginning, it trains us to find the bugs before TypeScript does. So everything good comes at the right time!
Thank you! See you around!🤗
Perfect read — really liked how you describe TypeScript as a safety net that turns unpredictable JS-bugs into compile-time warnings.
I’m glad my perspective was helpful!
Thank you for your time!🤗