What is TypeScript?

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and other features to make your code more reliable, maintainable, and easier to debug.

Understanding TypeScript

TypeScript was developed by Microsoft and released in 2012. It extends JavaScript by adding optional static types, classes, and modules, while maintaining full compatibility with existing JavaScript code.

Key Features of TypeScript

1. Static Typing

TypeScript allows you to define types for variables, function parameters, and return values, catching errors at compile time rather than runtime.

2. Object-Oriented Programming

TypeScript supports classes, interfaces, inheritance, and other OOP concepts that make code more organized and maintainable.

3. Enhanced IDE Support

Better autocomplete, error detection, and refactoring tools in modern code editors.

4. JavaScript Compatibility

All valid JavaScript code is also valid TypeScript code, making migration easy.

Basic TypeScript Example

interface User {
  name: string;
  age: number;
  email?: string; // Optional property
}

function greetUser(user: User): string {
  return `Hello, ${user.name}! You are ${user.age} years old.`;
}

const user: User = {
  name: "John Doe",
  age: 30
};

console.log(greetUser(user));

TypeScript vs JavaScript

| Feature | JavaScript | TypeScript |

|---------|------------|------------|

| Static Typing | No | Yes |

| Compile-time Error Checking | No | Yes |

| IDE Support | Basic | Enhanced |

| Learning Curve | Easier | Steeper |

| Runtime Performance | Same | Same |

Why Use TypeScript?

Common Use Cases

TypeScript has become increasingly popular, especially in enterprise applications and large codebases where type safety and maintainability are crucial.