Why You Should Use TypeScript for Developing Web Applications?

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that includes all the features of JavaScript and more. It provides additional features like static typing, interfaces, classes, and modules to help developers write more robust and maintainable code.

In this article, we will discuss why you should use TypeScript for developing web applications and how it can benefit you, with examples.

Static Typing

One of the primary benefits of TypeScript is static typing. Static typing means variables, function parameters, and function return types must be defined before the code is compiled. This makes it easier for developers to catch errors before the code is run.

Static typing can help identify errors like type mismatches, null reference errors, and incorrect function arguments. This helps reduce the number of bugs in the code and improve the overall quality of the application.

For example, consider the following TypeScript code −

function add(a: number, b: number): number {
   return a + b;
}
add('1', 2);   

In this code, the function add expects two numbers as arguments and returns a number. However, while invoking the function, we are passing a string and a number as arguments, which is incorrect. TypeScript will catch this error during code writing (linting) and/or compilation and prevent it from running.

Output Error

Argument of type 'string' is not assignable to parameter of type 'number'.

Improved Tooling

One of the primary benefits of TypeScript is static typing. Static typing means variables, function parameters, and function return types must be defined before the code is compiled. This makes it easier for developers to catch errors before the code is run.

Static typing can help identify errors like type mismatches, null reference errors, and incorrect function arguments. This helps in reducing the number of bugs in the code and improving the overall quality of the application.

For example, consider the following TypeScript code −

interface Person {
   name: string;
   age: number;
}
const person: Person = {
   name: 'John',
   age: 30
}
person.email = 'john@example.com';

In this code, we have defined an interface Person that determines the structure of a person object. We have then defined an object person that conforms to this interface.

However, in the last line, we are trying to add a property email to the person object, which is not defined in the interface. TypeScript will catch this error during compilation and prevent it from running.

Output Error

Property 'email' does not exist on type 'Person'.

Better Code Maintainability

TypeScript provides features like interfaces, classes, and modules, which can help in writing more maintainable code. Interfaces help define objects' structure, classes provide a way to encapsulate data and behavior, and modules help organize code into reusable units.

Using interfaces can help in writing more robust code by providing a way to define the structure of objects. This can help in catching errors before they occur and reducing the number of bugs in the code.

Using classes can help encapsulate data and behavior, making the code more modular and easier to maintain. Classes can also help provide a clear separation of concerns, making the code easier to understand.

Using modules can help organize code into reusable units, which can help reduce duplication and make the code more maintainable.

interface Animal {
   name: string;
   eat(): void;
}
class Dog implements Animal {
   name: string;
   constructor(name: string) {
      this.name = name;
   }
   eat() {
      console.log(this.name + ' is eating.');
   }
}
const dog = new Dog('Buddy');
dog.eat();

In this code, we have defined an interface Animal that defines the structure of an animal object and a class Dog that implements this interface. We then created an object dog of the Dog class.

Using interfaces and classes can help in writing more maintainable code by providing a way to define the structure of objects and encapsulating data and behavior.

On compiling, it will generate the following JavaScript code −

var Dog = /** @class */ (function () {
   function Dog(name) {
      this.name = name;
   }
   Dog.prototype.eat = function () {
      console.log(this.name + ' is eating.');
   };
   return Dog;
}());
var dog = new Dog('Buddy');
dog.eat();

Output

The above code will produce the following output −

Buddy is eating.

Better Code Scalability

TypeScript provides features like interfaces, classes, and modules, which can help write more scalable code. Interfaces can help define objects' structure, which can help make the code more extensible. Classes can help encapsulate data and behavior, making the code more modular and easier to scale. Modules can help in organizing code into reusable units, which can help in reducing duplication and make the code more scalable.

interface Person {
   name: string;
   age: number;
}
class Employee implements Person {
   name: string;
   age: number;
   salary: number;
   constructor(name: string, age: number, salary: number) {
      this.name = name;
      this.age = age;
      this.salary = salary;
   }
   calculateBonus() {
      console.log(this.salary * 0.1);
   }
}
const employee = new Employee('John', 30, 50000);
employee.calculateBonus();

In this code, we have defined an interface Person that defines the structure of a person object and a class Employee that implements this interface. We have then created an object employee of the Employee class.

On compiling, it will generate the following JavaScript code −

var Employee = /** @class */ (function () {
   function Employee(name, age, salary) {
      this.name = name;
      this.age = age;
      this.salary = salary;
   }
   Employee.prototype.calculateBonus = function () {
      console.log(this.salary * 0.1);
   };
   return Employee;
}());
var employee = new Employee('John', 30, 50000);
employee.calculateBonus();

Output

The above code will produce the following output −

5000

Using interfaces and classes can help in writing more scalable code by providing a way to define the structure of objects and encapsulating data and behavior. This makes it easier to add new features and functionality to the codebase.

Better Collaboration

TypeScript can make collaboration among team members easier by providing a common language and structure for the codebase. Using interfaces and functions with well-defined inputs and outputs can help in better collaboration among team members by providing a common language and structure for the codebase.

Conclusion

TypeScript provides many benefits for developing web applications. Static typing can help catch errors before the code is run, improving the overall quality of the application. Improved tooling can help in providing better code completion, error checking, and refactoring tools. Using interfaces, classes, and modules can help in writing more maintainable, scalable, and collaborative code.

If you are developing web applications, you should consider using TypeScript. It can help in reducing bugs, improve code quality, and make the code more maintainable, scalable, and collaborative.