Getting Started with TypeScript
typescriptjavascriptprogramming
What is TypeScript?
TypeScript is a programming language built on top of JavaScript. Its most important feature is static typing — variable types are checked at compile time rather than at runtime.
Why TypeScript?
- Errors caught earlier — before the program runs
- Better autocomplete in editors like VS Code
- More readable code for larger teams
- Safer refactoring — when you rename a function, the compiler finds every usage
Installation
npm install -D typescript
npx tsc --init
Basic Types
// Primitive types
let name: string = "Ahmadi";
let age: number = 25;
let isActive: boolean = true;
// Array
let tags: string[] = ["typescript", "javascript"];
// Object with interface
interface User {
id: number;
name: string;
email?: string; // optional
}
const user: User = {
id: 1,
name: "Ali Ahmadi",
};
Typed Functions
function add(a: number, b: number): number {
return a + b;
}
// Arrow function
const greet = (name: string): string => {
return `Hello, ${name}!`;
};
Union Types
Sometimes a variable can hold multiple types:
let id: string | number;
id = 123; // valid
id = "abc-1"; // valid
id = true; // error!
Generic Types
function getFirst<T>(arr: T[]): T {
return arr[0];
}
const firstNumber = getFirst([1, 2, 3]); // type: number
const firstString = getFirst(["a", "b"]); // type: string
Next Steps
- TypeScript official documentation
- Practice with small projects
- Learn
utility typeslikePartial,Pick,Omit