TypeScript Getting Started

Welcome to The Coding College! At The Coding College, our goal is to simplify programming and help you master the tools needed to succeed in the world of development. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get started with TypeScript, a powerful superset of JavaScript.

What is TypeScript?

TypeScript is an open-source programming language developed by Microsoft. It builds on JavaScript by adding features like static typing, interfaces, and modern tooling. TypeScript compiles to plain JavaScript, making it compatible with all browsers and platforms.

Why Learn TypeScript?

TypeScript is widely used in industries and frameworks like Angular. Learning TypeScript enhances your development skills and prepares you to handle larger, more complex applications.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with TypeScript

Step 1: Install Node.js

TypeScript requires Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) to run. If you don’t have Node.js installed, download and install it from the official website.

Step 2: Install TypeScript

Once Node.js is installed, open your terminal or command prompt and run the following command to install TypeScript globally:

npm install -g typescript

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Check if TypeScript is installed correctly by running:

tsc --version

This command displays the installed version of TypeScript.

Step 4: Create Your First TypeScript File

• Set Up a New Project
  Create a folder for your project and navigate to it in the terminal:

mkdir typescript-tutorial
cd typescript-tutorial

• Create a TypeScript File
  Inside the folder, create a file named hello.ts and open it in your favorite text editor (e.g., VS Code). Write the following code:

let message: string = "Hello, TypeScript!";
console.log(message);

Step 5: Compile TypeScript Code to JavaScript

TypeScript needs to be compiled into JavaScript before it can run in the browser or Node.js. Use the TypeScript compiler (tsc) to compile the file:

tsc hello.ts

This generates a hello.js file in the same folder.

Step 6: Run the Compiled JavaScript

Run the generated JavaScript file using Node.js:

node hello.js

You should see the message Hello, TypeScript! in the console.

Using TypeScript Configuration Files

For larger projects, TypeScript provides a configuration file (tsconfig.json) to manage compiler options.

Step 1: Generate tsconfig.json

Run the following command to create a configuration file:

tsc --init

Step 2: Configure Compiler Options

Open tsconfig.json and customize the settings. For example, enable strict type checking:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "target": "es6",
    "strict": true,
    "outDir": "./dist"
  }
}

Step 3: Compile Your Project

Run the TypeScript compiler for the entire project:

tsc

This compiles all .ts files in the project according to the settings in tsconfig.json.

Recommended Tools for TypeScript Development

1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

VS Code provides excellent support for TypeScript, including:

• Autocompletion
• Real-time error detection
• Debugging tools

2. TypeScript Playground

Experiment with TypeScript code directly in the browser at the TypeScript Playground.

Common TypeScript Commands

Here are some useful commands to streamline your development:

Next Steps

Once you’ve set up TypeScript and written your first program, you can explore:

1. Advanced Features: Generics, decorators, and modules.
2. Integration with Frameworks: Learn TypeScript with Angular or React.
3. Project Best Practices: Organize your code with interfaces and namespaces.

Conclusion

Getting started with TypeScript is straightforward, and the benefits are immense. By following this guide, you’ve taken the first step toward building scalable and maintainable applications.

For more tutorials and programming insights, visit The Coding College. Start coding smarter, not harder, with TypeScript!