JavaScript alternative (TypeScript)

and its effectiveness in web

development

Md Saiful Islam

BACHELOR’S THESIS
May 2023

Degree Programme
Software Engineering
ABSTRACT

Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Software Engineering

Md Saiful Islam
JavaScript alternative (Typescript) and its effectiveness in web development
Bachelor's thesis 32 pages
May 2023

JavaScript is the most popular language used to build websites and web
applications. It has some limitations such Lack of static typing and limited support
for object-oriented programming. TypeScript, a language developed by Microsoft,
addresses these issues by providing a statically typed, object-oriented alternative
to JavaScript. In this thesis, evaluates how effective TypeScript is for his web
development by comparing features such as static typing, interfaces, and
modules with those of JavaScript. We also explore how TypeScript impacts
productivity, code organization, maintainability, and reliability of large-scale web
applications. Conduct a case study of a real web development project to compare
results using TypeScript and JavaScript.
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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 5
2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND ............................................................ 6
2.1 History and Evolution of Typescript ................................................. 6
2.2 Key Features, Including Static Typing, Interfaces, and Modules .... 7
2.2.1 Static Typing ........................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Interfaces ................................................................................ 8
2.2.3 Modules................................................................................... 9
2.3 Comparison With JavaScript .......................................................... 10
2.3.1 Processing Time Difference ................................................. 13
3 USE CASES OF TYPESCRIPT ............................................................ 15
3.1 TypeScript in Action........................................................................ 15
3.2 Advantages and disadvantages of using TypeScript .................... 16
3.3 Compatibility with Popular Frameworks (Angular and React)....... 16
3.3.1 Angular with TypeScript ....................................................... 17
3.3.2 React with TypeScript........................................................... 17
3.4 Case Studies of Companies & Organizations Using TypeScript .. 18
3.4.1 Microsoft ............................................................................... 19
3.4.2 Slack ..................................................................................... 19
3.4.3 Airbnb .................................................................................... 19
3.4.4 Asana .................................................................................... 19
4 IMPACT OF TYPESCRIPT ON WEB DEVELOPMENT ...................... 20
4.1 Improved code maintainability and scalability ............................... 20
4.2 Early error detection and debugging .............................................. 20
4.3 Improved Productivity (Visual Code) ............................................. 21
4.4 Limitations and Challenges of TypeScript ..................................... 22
4.5 Compatibility Issues with Some Libraries and Frameworks.......... 22
4.6 Performance Considerations.......................................................... 23
4.7 TypeScript Community and Ecosystem ......................................... 24
4.8 The Importance of TypeScript Popularity ...................................... 25
4.8.1 Stack Overflow ...................................................................... 25
4.8.2 GitHub ................................................................................... 27
4.8.3 Google Trends ...................................................................... 28
4.9 Potential Drawbacks ....................................................................... 29
5 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................ 30
REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 31
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GLOSSARY or ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS (choose one or other)

JS JavaScript
TS TypeScript
 5

1 INTRODUCTION

JavaScript and TypeScript are two of the most widely used programming
languages for web development. While JavaScript has been a essential language
for web development since its inception, TypeScript has been gaining popularity
in recent years as a "superset" of JavaScript that adds optional static typing and
other features.

In this paper, we will explore the features and benefits of TypeScript in web
development, examine its impact on the development landscape, and evaluate
its effectiveness as an alternative to JavaScript in various use cases. We will also
look at the current state of the industry and see how the two languages are being
used in real-world projects. Additionally, we will discuss the challenges and
limitations of using TypeScript and provide recommendations for developers and
organizations considering adopting it as their primary language for web
development.

Overall, this thesis aims to provide a comprehensive and objective comparison

of JavaScript and TypeScript, and to help developers make informed decisions
about which language to use for their projects.
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2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Typescript is a programming language introduced by Microsoft in 2012. It's an

open-source language that adds features like static typing, classes, and
interfaces to JavaScript. This makes it easier for developers to write efficient,
maintainable, and scalable code. By catching errors at compile time, you can
reduce errors and improve code quality. It is highly compatible with existing
JavaScript code, supports all JavaScript features, and can be used in any
environment that supports JavaScript. A powerful type system allows developers
to specify data types for variables, arguments, and return values, making code
easier to document and maintain. It also supports object-oriented programming
concepts such as classes, interfaces, and inheritance, making it easy to write
modular, reusable code(Hiwarale 2020).

2.1 History and Evolution of Typescript

Typescript was first introduced by Microsoft (after two years of development).

This was the Microsoft solution for developing applications at scale using
JavaScript, for them and their customers. Steve Lucco and his team of over 50
people, including his lead C# architect Anders Hejlsberg, creator of Delphi and
Turbo Pascal, developed his TypeScript at Microsoft. This project was originally
known as Strada. Initially, products such as Bing and Office 365 created a need
for improving JavaScript so that Microsoft could build scalable products(open AI
2023).

Over time, Typescript has evolved and improved, adding new features and
improvements with each new version. In 2015 Typescript 1.5 was released
adding support for decorators and his ES6 generator. Typescript 1.6, released in
2015, added support for React and JSX. In 2016, Typescript 2.0 was released,
introducing features like optional concatenation, null coalescing, and readonly
properties. Typescript 2.1, released later this year, added support for async/await
functions and rest/spread properties on objects. Typescript 2.3 was released in
2017 and added support for generic parameter default values and conditional
types. Typescript 2.4, released later that year, added support for dynamic import
 7

expressions and string enumerations. In 2018 he released Typescript 3.0, which

introduced features like project references, tuple types, read-only arrays and
tuples. Typescript 3.1, released later that year, added support for mappable tuple
and array types. In 2019 Typescript 3.5 was released adding support for his
ESNext features like private fields and methods, and in 2020 he introduced
features like templated string types, labeled tuple elements and unknown catch
clauses (Wikipedia 2023).

2.2 Key Features, Including Static Typing, Interfaces, and Modules

TypeScript begins with JavaScript and ends with JavaScript. Typescript adopts
the basic building blocks of our program from JavaScript. That being so, only
need to know JavaScript to use TypeScript. All TypeScript code is converted into
its JavaScript analogous for the purpose of execution (Tutorialspoint 2023). It
provides a powerful and flexible alternative to JavaScript, offering developers a
more structured and efficient approach to web development.

2.2.1 Static Typing

Static typing is a key feature of TypeScript that allows developers to declare the
data types of variables, function parameters, and return types at compile-time.
This helps catch errors early in the development process and makes your code
more reliable (Tutorialspoint 2023).

FIGURE 1. Code Example of Static Typing

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In figure 1, a function calculateArea is defined with two parameters, width and

height, both of which are declared as number using static typing. The function
calculates the area of a rectangle by multiplying the width and height values and
returns the result as a number.

When calling the calculateArea function, the expected argument types are also
specified as number. This is because the function expects two numeric arguments
and returns a numeric value. The result of the function call is assigned to a
variable area which is also declared as a number.

2.2.2 Interfaces

Another important feature of TypeScript is interfaces, which allow developers to

define custom types that can be used throughout their code. Interfaces define the
structure and requirements of an object, ensuring that it has certain properties
and methods. This enables better code documentation, improves code
readability, and makes it easier to maintain and refactor code as projects evolve
(Tutorialspoint 2023).

FIGURE 2. Code Example of Defined an Interface

In figure 2, defined an interface Product that requires all product objects to have
id, name, price, inStock, and getDiscountedPrice properties. The
description property is optional, indicated by the question mark “?”. Then create
 9

a product object that implements the Product interface. It has all the required
properties and the getDiscountedPrice method that takes a discount percentage
and returns the discounted price.

2.2.3 Modules

TypeScript also has a modular architecture, allowing developers to use only the
features they need, and its syntax is similar to that of JavaScript, making it easy
for developers to learn and use. It supports all the features of JavaScript,
including the latest ECMAScript standards, and can be used in any environment
that supports JavaScript, including web browsers, servers, and mobile devices
(Tutorialspoint 2023).
Let's say we have a file called [Link] that exports a function for adding two
numbers:

FIGURE 3. Code Example of Modular Programming Using Ts

Then, in another file called [Link], we can import that function and use it:
 10

FIGURE 4. Imported Function from Ts File Used in Js File

Using modules in this way can help keep our code organized and make it easier
to reuse functionality across multiple files.

2.3 Comparison With JavaScript

TypeScript and JavaScript differ in several key aspects. TypeScript, a superset

of JavaScript, provides static typing, advanced features like modules, generics,
and interfaces, and detects errors during compile time, making it more suitable
for complex projects. On the other hand, JavaScript is a dynamically typed
language that is more suitable for simpler web applications due to its lower
learning curve, direct browser compatibility, and extensive community support
(Krishnan 2022). While TypeScript requires a build setup and a deeper
understanding of scripting, JavaScript can be learned on the go and does not
require a build setup. The choice between TypeScript and JavaScript depends
on project requirements, developer expertise, and the desired level of
maintainability and complexity.
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TABLE 1: TypeScript vs JavaScript: Key Differences (Raval 2023)

While the differences in this simple example may not seem significant,
TypeScript's features become more valuable in larger and more complex
applications, where type safety, better error detection, and improved code editor
support can significantly enhance the development process.

In figure 5, a code comparison as example of JavaScript and TypeScript code for

a quiz app. The example shows how to display a question and its options.
 12

FIGURE 5. TypeScript vs JavaScript Code Comparison

In Figure 5, we can compare.

Type Annotations: In the TypeScript example, we specify the types for variables
and function parameters, which helps catch type-related errors during
development and improves code quality.

Interface: Define an interface Question to describe the structure of a question

object, enhancing readability and making it easier to manage complex data
structures.

Type Assertions: Used type assertions (e.g., as HTMLElement) to inform

TypeScript about the expected type of an element, allowing better type checking
and autocompletion in code editors.
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2.3.1 Processing Time Difference

When it comes to performance, TypeScript, a compiled language, theoretically

runs faster than interpreted languages like JavaScript and Python. However,
since TypeScript is compiled into JavaScript, which is an interpreted language, it
may not necessarily result in a significant performance boost. Typescript can still
offer performance benefits through its ability to catch errors at compile-time and
optimize code based on optional static typing. By catching errors early in the
development process, TypeScript can reduce the likelihood of runtime errors and
unexpected behaviour, leading to faster execution times. Additionally, the
optional static typing in TypeScript can help the compiler optimize the code,
resulting in faster execution and smaller output size. While human optimization
of JavaScript is also possible, it can be error-prone, especially in large-scale
projects. In conclusion, while TypeScript may not always offer a substantial
performance boost compared to JavaScript, its compile-time error checking and
optional static typing can lead to faster and more efficient code, especially in
larger projects (Code A Star 2023).

FIGURE 6. TS vs JS Processing Time Differences (Programming Language

Benchmarks 2022)
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Based on programming language benchmarks as of December 21, 2022, the

graph shows that TypeScript outperforms JavaScript in 10 out of 11 benchmark
tests. However, there is a benchmark test where TypeScript shows a significant
drop in performance compared to JavaScript, which has to do with JSON
serialization and deserialization. Even so, the overall performance difference
between TypeScript and JavaScript is generally small and probably not large
enough to have a significant impact on most real-world applications. It's important
to note that performance results may vary depending on the specific use case,
the implementation of the code, and the JavaScript engine used to run the code.
 15

3 USE CASES OF TYPESCRIPT

It is designed to tackle large-scale applications by offering static typing and

advanced features. Common use cases for TypeScript include building complex
web applications, developing server-side applications with [Link], and creating
cross-platform mobile applications. It can also be used with popular frameworks
and libraries such as Angular, React, and Vue (Kumar 2021). TypeScript's static
typing ensures code quality, maintainability, and a better developer experience,
making it a popular choice for various software development scenarios.

3.1 TypeScript in Action

A quiz app built using TypeScript involves creating multiple components that work
together to provide a seamless user experience. When building a quiz app with
TypeScript, we start by setting up the project structure and organizing our code.
We define data structures like questions, answers, and user profiles using
TypeScript's interfaces and types to catch errors early. Then, we create reusable
components using classes and inheritance for different types of quiz questions.
We also use popular front-end frameworks like Angular or React to build the user
interface and integrate the app with a back-end server using TypeScript and
[Link]. This way, we can handle user authentication and manage quiz data.
TypeScript also helps us create custom UI components and reusable libraries if
needed.

FIGURE 7. Build a TypeScript Based React Quiz Application.

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3.2 Advantages and disadvantages of using TypeScript

TypeScript offers several advantages that can improve code quality,

maintainability, and developer productivity. However, it also has some
drawbacks, such as a learning curve and potential compatibility issues. When
considering whether to use TypeScript, it's essential to weigh these pros and cons
against the specific needs and goals of the project.

TABLE 2: Advantages and Disadvantages of TypeScript (yashdkadam n.d)

3.3 Compatibility with Popular Frameworks (Angular and React)

TypeScript is highly compatible with popular web frameworks like Angular and
React, as both frameworks have built-in support for TypeScript. This compatibility
enables developers to take advantage of TypeScript's features when building
applications with Angular or React, leading to improved code quality and
maintainability.
 17

3.3.1 Angular with TypeScript

Angular has built-in TypeScript support, and the Angular framework itself is
written in TypeScript. The Angular CLI, which is used to generate, develop, and
manage Angular projects, uses TypeScript by default. TypeScript's static typing
and interfaces integrate seamlessly with Angular's component-based
architecture, dependency injection, and decorators, resulting in a more robust
and maintainable codebase.

FIGURE 8. Angular With TypeScript Code Example (Open AI, ChatGpt 2023)

3.3.2 React with TypeScript

React also supports TypeScript and can easily set up a TypeScript-based React
project using Create React App with the TypeScript template. TypeScript works
well with React's functional components, hooks, and the overall component
architecture. It allows developers to create strongly typed props and state, leading
to better error checking during development and making it easier to refactor and
maintain the codebase.
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FIGURE 9. React With TypeScript Code Example (Open AI, ChatGpt 2023)

3.4 Case Studies of Companies & Organizations Using TypeScript

TypeScript has gained significant traction in the software development

community, and several companies and organizations have adopted it to improve
their development processes and code quality. These case studies showcase
how TypeScript has been beneficial for various organizations, helping them
improve code quality, maintainability, and developer productivity (Jessica Clark,
n.d). Adopting TypeScript can offer similar advantages to other companies and
organizations looking to enhance their software development processes.
 19

3.4.1 Microsoft

Microsoft, the creator of TypeScript, uses it extensively across various products

and services. One notable example is Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a popular
open-source code editor that is built using TypeScript. TypeScript's strong typing
and enhanced tooling have helped Microsoft maintain and scale the VS Code
codebase effectively (Jessica Clark, n.d).

3.4.2 Slack

Slack, a well-known collaboration platform, adopted TypeScript to improve the

scalability and maintainability of its desktop application. TypeScript's static typing,
better tooling, and seamless integration with the Electron framework enabled the
Slack team to catch errors early, improve developer productivity, and maintain a
large codebase more efficiently (Jessica Clark, n.d).

3.4.3 Airbnb

Airbnb, a leading online marketplace for lodging, switched to TypeScript to

improve its development process and code quality. TypeScript's static typing,
superior refactoring capabilities, and strong community support helped Airbnb
catch bugs early, reduce technical debt, and enhance collaboration among the
development team members (Jessica Clark, n.d).

3.4.4 Asana

Asana, a popular project management and productivity tool, migrated to

TypeScript to improve the maintainability and scalability of its application. The
adoption of TypeScript allowed Asana to catch bugs before they reached
production, enhance developer productivity, and streamline the development
process (Jessica Clark, n.d).
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4 IMPACT OF TYPESCRIPT ON WEB DEVELOPMENT

TypeScript has had a significant impact on web development since its release in
2012. It has improved code quality by providing developers with a powerful tool
to detect errors before they runtime. Its advanced features have also improved
productivity and made it easier to write and maintain complex applications. It’s
static typing and code structure have enabled better collaboration among
developers and increased adoption of JavaScript frameworks.

4.1 Improved code maintainability and scalability

In addition to the impacts mentioned earlier, TypeScript also has a significant

impact on code maintainability and scalability. By providing strong typing and
advanced features like classes and interfaces, TypeScript helps developers write
code that is easier to maintain and extend over time.

TypeScript also offers features like code completion and refactoring support,
which can help developers quickly navigate code and make changes efficiently.
These features can make it easier to refactor code, add new features, or modify
existing functionality without introducing errors or breaking the code. The
improved maintainability and scalability provided by TypeScript can help
developers build more reliable and maintainable web applications. By writing
cleaner, more organized, and more reliable code, developers can reduce
development time and ensure that their code can be maintained and scaled
effectively over time (Dojo 2023).

4.2 Early error detection and debugging

Another significant impact of TypeScript on web development is its ability to

enable early error detection and debugging. Since TypeScript is a statically typed
language, it can catch errors before runtime, which can significantly reduce the
time and effort required for debugging and testing.

To get better understand, suppose we have a function that expects a string

parameter, but we accidentally pass a number instead. In a dynamically typed
 21

language like JavaScript, this error would only be caught at runtime, leading to
unexpected behavior and potentially difficult-to-debug issues. However, with
TypeScript, this error would be caught at compile-time, allowing to fix the issue
before it becomes a problem.

FIGURE 10. Early Error Detection and Debugging (Open AI, ChatGpt 2023).

In Figure9, we have a function called multiply that expects two number

parameters and returns their product. When we try to call the multiply function
with a string parameter instead of a number, TypeScript will catch the error at
compile-time and prevent the code from running. The error message will indicate
that the argument passed is of the wrong type and is not assignable to the
parameter's type (Open AI, ChatGpt 2023).

In addition to catching errors early, TypeScript can also improve the debugging
experience by providing more informative error messages. The strong typing of
TypeScript allows for more detailed error messages, making it easier for
developers to identify and fix issues in their code.

4.3 Improved Productivity (Visual Code)

TypeScript has had a positive impact on the productivity of web developers,

particularly when combined with development tools like Visual Studio Code (VS
Code). By offering strong typing and advanced features such as classes and
interfaces, TypeScript can help developers write cleaner and more organized
code, making development tasks quicker and more efficient. Additionally,
TypeScript provides features such as code completion and refactoring support,
 22

which can further improve productivity by simplifying the development process.

Ultimately, TypeScript has enabled developers to write better code more quickly,
reducing development time and enhancing the overall productivity of web
development projects (Attardi 2022).

4.4 Limitations and Challenges of TypeScript

TypeScript has its limitations and challenges that need to be considered when
using it in web development. One of the challenges is that it has a steeper
learning curve compared to JavaScript, especially for developers who are not
familiar with static typing or advanced features like classes and interfaces.
Additionally, not all existing JavaScript libraries and tools have TypeScript
support, which can make it difficult to integrate TypeScript into existing projects
or use certain libraries and tools (Marius 2021).
Another challenge is that since TypeScript needs to be compiled to JavaScript,
there is an additional step in the development process that can slow down
iteration cycles and increase build times. While TypeScript's static typing provides
many benefits, it can also be limiting in some cases. For example, some dynamic
or loosely-typed scenarios may require more flexibility than TypeScript allows.
Therefore, it is essential to weigh the benefits against the costs and assess
whether TypeScript is the best choice for a particular project. While TypeScript
can improve code quality, productivity, and maintainability, developers should
consider its limitations and challenges before using it (Gustav n.d).

4.5 Compatibility Issues with Some Libraries and Frameworks

One of the challenges that developers may face when using TypeScript in web
development is compatibility issues with some libraries and frameworks. This is
because not all existing JavaScript libraries and frameworks have TypeScript
support, which can make it difficult to integrate TypeScript into existing projects
or use certain libraries and tools.
But still there is good news: many popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks
have added TypeScript support in recent years, making it easier for developers
to use TypeScript in their projects. Despite this progress, it's still possible that
 23

developers will need to write custom type definitions for libraries that do not have
TypeScript support, which can be time-consuming and not always provide a
complete solution.
To help bridge the gap, TypeScript provides tools like declaration files and the
any type that can help developers work with existing JavaScript code that does
not have TypeScript support. While compatibility issues with some libraries and
frameworks can be a challenge, the increasing popularity and adoption of
TypeScript are driving more libraries and frameworks to support it (TypeScript
Handbook 2023)

Moreover, while there may be some challenges when using TypeScript in web
development, the benefits it provides in terms of improved code quality,
productivity, and maintainability make it worth considering. By keeping an eye on
compatibility issues and using the tools available, developers can take advantage
of the language's strengths and continue to use it effectively in their projects.

4.6 Performance Considerations

When using TypeScript in web development, there are some performance

considerations to keep in mind. TypeScript can improve code quality and
maintainability, but it can also add some overhead in terms of performance.
One thing to consider is compilation time. Since TypeScript needs to be compiled
to JavaScript, this can slow down the development process and increase build
times. However, developers can use tools like Webpack or Gulp to optimize the
build process and minimize compilation time. Another thing to consider is runtime
performance. While TypeScript code can be optimized by the compiler, the
overhead introduced by type checking and other language features can impact
runtime performance. Developers can use techniques like lazy loading to improve
the initial load time of web applications and minimize the impact of runtime
performance (Nikita 2022).
Memory usage is another consideration. The use of classes and other advanced
features in TypeScript can increase memory usage compared to traditional
JavaScript code. To optimize memory usage, developers can use techniques like
object pooling and minimize unnecessary object creation.
 24

Finally, code size can be impacted by TypeScript due to the additional typing
information and language features. This can impact page load times and overall
performance. To minimize code size, developers can use techniques like tree
shaking and minification to remove unused code and compress the codebase.
Overall, while TypeScript can introduce some performance overhead, these
issues can be minimized by using best practices and optimization techniques. By
using TypeScript effectively, developers can improve code quality and
maintainability while ensuring that their applications are performant and efficient
(JSdairies 2019).

4.7 TypeScript Community and Ecosystem

TypeScript has a growing and active community of developers, contributors, and

enthusiasts. According to the TypeScript website, there are more than 2 million
TypeScript downloads per month, and the language is used by companies such
as Microsoft, Google, Asana, Slack, and Airbnb.

Documentation and Resources: The TypeScript community has a wealth of

resources available for learning and using the language. The official TypeScript
website provides extensive documentation, guides, and tutorials, as well as a
playground to experiment with TypeScript code. There are also many third-party
resources, such as blogs, videos, books, and courses, that cover TypeScript in
depth.
Frameworks and Libraries: Many popular web frameworks and libraries support
TypeScript, including Angular, React, Vue, Express, [Link], and more. These
frameworks provide TypeScript-specific features, such as decorators, type
annotations, and tooling integration, that make TypeScript development more
productive and efficient.
Tools and Editors: There are many tools and editors that support TypeScript,
such as Visual Studio Code, WebStorm, Atom, Sublime Text, and more. These
tools provide features such as autocomplete, syntax highlighting, code
formatting, and debugging, that make TypeScript development easier and more
enjoyable.
Community Contributions: The TypeScript community is actively contributing
to the language and its ecosystem. There are many open-source projects and
 25

repositories on platforms like GitHub that provide TypeScript definitions, plugins,

and utilities. The community also reports bugs, suggests improvements, and
proposes new features through the official TypeScript GitHub repository.
Conferences and Events: There are many conferences and events that focus
on TypeScript and related technologies. These events provide opportunities for
developers to learn, network, and share their experiences with TypeScript. Some
of the notable conferences include ng-conf, React Conf, [Link] Summit, and
TypeScript Day (TS official, TS documentation 2023)
The TypeScript community and ecosystem offer a vibrant and supportive
environment for web developers who want to use a more robust and structured
language than JavaScript. Whether we are a beginner or an experienced
developer, there are many resources and tools available to help we learn and use
TypeScript effectively.

4.8 The Importance of TypeScript Popularity

The importance of TypeScript's popularity and thorough documentation in web

development cannot be overstated. The language's increasing popularity and
widespread adoption are driving more libraries and frameworks to support it,
making it easier for developers to use TypeScript in their projects. In addition,
TypeScript's comprehensive documentation provides developers with clear
explanations of its features and syntax, helping them write efficient and organized
code that is easier to maintain and scale. By leveraging the language's popularity
and thorough documentation, developers can take advantage of the many
benefits Typescripts offers, such as improved code quality, productivity, and
maintainability, and build more reliable and efficient web applications (Open AI,
ChatGpt 2023).

4.8.1 Stack Overflow

TypeScript's popularity is driven by its ability to improve code quality,

maintainability, and scalability, making it an attractive option for web developers.
Its strong typing and advanced features like classes and interfaces help
developers write cleaner, more organized code, reducing the likelihood of bugs
and making code easier to maintain and scale. TypeScript's growing popularity
 26

has also led to more libraries and frameworks adding TypeScript support, making
it easier for developers to integrate TypeScript into their projects

FIGURE 11. Stack Overflow Survey list 2021 (Stack Overflow Developer Survey
n.d)

TypeScript has been steadily growing in popularity among developers over the
past few years. According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2021, It was
the 5th most commonly used technology among professional developers
worldwide, with 36.2%. This places TypeScript ahead of other popular web
development technologies such as [Link], Angular, and Ruby on Rails.
Furthermore, TypeScript was also among the top 5 most loved programming
languages, with 73.1% of respondents saying they loved working with it. This
highlights the popularity of TypeScript among developers and its growing
adoption in the web development community
 27

4.8.2 GitHub

According to the 2021 GitHub State of the Octoverse report, TypeScript was the
4th most popular language on GitHub, based on the number of repositories
created in 2021, with over 2.3 million repositories. Certainly! The Hashicorp
Configuration Language (HCL) has become more popular over the past year,
largely due to the growing popularity of the Terraform tool and Infrastructure as
Code (IaC) practices that automate deployments. As a result, other languages
like Go. TypeScript have also seen significant increases in usage.

FIGURE 12. Octoverse Report 2021-2022 (Octoverse 2022)

According to GitHub's analysis of programming language growth from 2021 to

2022, TypeScript has moved up to the 3rd position with a growth rate of 37.8%.
This indicates a significant increase in the adoption and popularity of TypeScript
in the programming community.
 28

FIGURE 13. Octoverse Report 2022 (Octoverse 2022)

JavaScript remains the most widely used programming language, and Python
has maintained its second place position due to its versatility across various
domains such as development, education, machine learning, and data science.
TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript that adds features like static typing, has also
maintained its position as the fourth most popular language year-over-year.
Interestingly, PHP dropped from sixth to seventh place in the 2022 rankings.

4.8.3 Google Trends

According to Google Trends, the popularity of TypeScript has been on the rise
over the past 5 years. There has been a steady increase in interest in TypeScript,
with a significant spike in early 2021. This suggests that TypeScript is becoming
more widely used and adopted by developers around the world.

FIGURE 14. Google Trends View 2021 (Google trends 2023)

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4.9 Potential Drawbacks

Despite it provides many benefits to developers, such as improved code

readability, reduced errors, and better maintainability it also has some potential
drawbacks that developers should be aware of. One such drawback is the
learning curve, as developers who are new to TypeScript may need some time
to learn the new concepts and syntax introduced by the language. Another
potential drawback is limited tooling support, which can lead to issues such as
code completion not working correctly or debugging being difficult. Over-
engineering limited third-party library support, compilation overhead, and
increased file sizes are also potential drawbacks of using TypeScript. However,
with careful consideration and use of the language's benefits, developers can
mitigate these potential drawbacks and effectively use TypeScript to improve
their code's quality and maintainability. Ultimately, weighing the benefits and
drawbacks of using TypeScript can help developers make an informed decision
about whether to use it for a project (Alexsoft 2020)
 30

5 DISCUSSION

As web development evolves, developers are constantly looking for better ways
to write efficient and maintainable code. That's where TypeScript comes in - it's
a superset of JavaScript that offers several benefits over its prior. TypeScript
provides early error detection, better tooling support, and cleaner syntax, which
helps developers improve the quality of their code and increase productivity.
However, it's worth observing that switching to TypeScript from JavaScript may
come with some challenges. Developers who are already comfortable with
JavaScript may need to put in some effort to learn TypeScript. Additionally,
transpiling TypeScript to JavaScript adds an extra step to the development
process, which could slow things down. Despite these challenges, TypeScript's
benefits make it a worthwhile investment for developers, especially for larger-
scale projects where writing efficient and maintainable code is critical. It's no
surprise that major companies like Microsoft and Google are adopting TypeScript
in their development workflows, further upgrowth its effectiveness in web
development.

In conclusion, while there may be a learning curve associated with TypeScript, it

provides several advantages over JavaScript, making it a powerful alternative for
web development. Developers should evaluate their project needs and invest
time in learning TypeScript to determine if it's the right choice for them.
 31

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