Do You Need To Learn TypeScript in 2023?

Show Notes

What is TypeScript?

• Offers a way to add static types, classes, and interfaces to JavaScript
• Catches code errors at compile time
• Upgrades your tooling to allow for auto-complete and easy refactorability

TypeScript Basics

• Static Typing
  - JavaScript uses dynamic typing where a variable can be set to any type. A string, number boolean, function, etc.
  - TypeScript adds the ability to set what variable should be set to (ie Boolean)
  - Can also have variables of multiple types using an intersection (ie String | undefined)
  - Any is used when you don’t know what the type will be (ideally don't use these ever)
• Interfaces and Classes
  - Both are object-oriented principles
  - Interfaces are good for creating shapes for your objects that can be merged/extended
  - Classes can also be used in a similar way to interfaces but with the added functionality of creating constructors and methods
• Generics
  - Reusable components that can work over a variety of types while maintaining type safety
  - These types/functions can be used in a variety of ways where defining static types doesn’t make sense
• Type Inference
  - Since TypeScript is not understood by the browser we need to use the tsc, Typescript Compiler
  - It will continually run while you’re developing to check for code/type errors
  - The compiler can be configured with a tsconfig.json file

Do you need to learn TypeScript?

• TypeScript has started to become a standard in the web development space
• With that most job postings I’ve recently checked in my area have listed it as part of the required or recommended skills
• If you’re looking for a job it might be a good idea to dive into TypeScript, maybe take a short course from Matt Pocock and try to convert one of your existing JavaScript projects to TypeScript
  - You SHOULD NOT try to learn all of the ins and outs of TypeScript before applying for a job
• Do you need TypeScript for your side projects?
  - It depends on what your goals are, if you’re the only one working on it and it is just a way for you to create your side hustle, you probably don't need TypeScript
  - If your goal is to use the project as a portfolio piece and to get a job, then TypeScript is probably a good idea, regardless of the size of the project

Alternatives to TypeScript

• JSDoc
• CoffeeScript
• Flow