ts-plain-js
1. TypeScript Installation
You can install TypeScript globally using the command npm install -g typescript
or locally within a specific project using npm install --save-dev typescript
. Installing TypeScript locally ensures that everyone working on the project uses the same version.
2. Initializing TypeScript
Running tsc --init
in your project directory creates a tsconfig.json
file, which serves as the configuration file for your TypeScript project. This file allows you to specify compiler options and include/exclude files.
3. TypeScript Compiler (tsc)
The TypeScript Compiler (tsc
) is essential for converting TypeScript files into JavaScript. It reads the tsconfig.json
file for project-specific settings and performs the necessary compilation.
4. Rename .js to .ts
When adding TypeScript to a plain JavaScript project, you can rename .js
files to .ts
. TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, so your JavaScript code is already valid TypeScript code.
5. Type Annotations
You can start adding type annotations to your existing JavaScript functions and variables. This enables TypeScript’s static type checking and can help catch errors early in the development process.
6. Type Definitions for JavaScript Libraries
If you're using third-party JavaScript libraries, you can install type definitions using DefinitelyTyped via npm (e.g., npm install @types/lodash
). This provides types for existing JavaScript libraries, enhancing code quality.
7. Handling Dynamic Types
For situations where types cannot be known beforehand, TypeScript offers the any
and unknown
types. While the any
type allows for maximum flexibility, the unknown
type forces you to perform type checking before performing actions on variables.
8. Import and Export Modules
TypeScript supports ES6 module syntax for importing and exporting modules. It also supports CommonJS and other module types, offering compatibility with various project setups.
9. Refactoring JavaScript to TypeScript
You may also want to refactor JavaScript code to use TypeScript features like interfaces, generics, and enums. This provides stronger type safety and can make the code more maintainable and self-documenting.
10. Mixed TypeScript and JavaScript
It’s possible to maintain a project with a mix of TypeScript and JavaScript files. This can be useful during a gradual migration process.
11. Compiler Flags
Understanding key compiler flags like --target
, --module
, and --strict
in your tsconfig.json
is essential for tailoring the TypeScript setup to your project’s specific needs.
12. Watching Files
You can use the --watch
flag with tsc
to automatically compile TypeScript files as they change. This offers a quicker development cycle, especially during the migration phase.
13. Source Maps
Enable source maps by setting sourceMap
to true in your tsconfig.json
file. This allows you to debug TypeScript source code directly in your development tools, making debugging easier.
14. Linting with TSLint/ESLint
For maintaining code quality, it's advisable to set up a linter like TSLint or ESLint for TypeScript. You can enforce coding standards and automatically fix minor issues.
15. Build Scripts
Incorporate TypeScript compilation into your build process using tools like Webpack or Rollup. These tools can also handle other tasks like minification, bundling, and asset management, providing a complete build pipeline.
Compiling
1. Role of the TypeScript Compiler
The TypeScript Compiler (also known as tsc
) is responsible for transcompiling TypeScript code into JavaScript. This is a crucial step because browsers and Node.js understand JavaScript but not TypeScript.
2. Installation of TypeScript Compiler
You can install the TypeScript Compiler via npm, using the command npm install -g typescript
. Global installation allows you to use the tsc
command anywhere in your terminal.
3. Basic Compilation Command
The simplest way to compile a TypeScript file is to run tsc filename.ts
in the terminal. This will generate a corresponding JavaScript file named filename.js
.
4. Configuration via tsconfig.json
For more complex projects, a tsconfig.json
file can be used to specify compiler options. This file gives you fine-grained control over the TypeScript compilation process.
5. Watch Mode
The TypeScript compiler offers a watch mode, activated using tsc -w
or tsc --watch
. This feature automatically compiles TypeScript files as they are saved, speeding up the development process.
6. Transpilation Target
The target
option in tsconfig.json
lets you specify the JavaScript version to compile down to. This ensures your code will be compatible with environments that may not support the latest JavaScript features.
7. Source Maps
The sourceMap
option can be enabled to generate source maps. This helps in debugging the TypeScript code even after it has been compiled to JavaScript.
8. Handling Modules
The module
compiler option allows you to specify the module code generation method. This is essential for compatibility with various module systems like CommonJS, AMD, or ES6 modules.
9. Strict Checks
Using the strict
compiler option enables a stricter set of checks, like strictNullChecks
and strictFunctionTypes
. These checks enhance type safety in your TypeScript code.
10. Excluding Files
You can exclude certain files from compilation by specifying them in the exclude
array within the tsconfig.json
file. This is helpful for ignoring test files or third-party libraries.
11. Including Type Definitions
The types
and typeRoots
compiler options let you specify which type definitions to include in the compilation. This allows you to use third-party JavaScript libraries with type safety.
12. Emit Decorators
If you're using decorators in TypeScript, the emitDecoratorMetadata
and experimentalDecorators
compiler options must be enabled. These options allow for the output of metadata for decorators.
13. Downlevel Iteration
The downlevelIteration
option allows for more accurate iteration for ES5 and older targets, especially for newer ES6+ features like for...of
loops over objects.
14. No Emit on Error
The noEmitOnError
option prevents the compiler from generating output files if errors are found. This ensures that broken code is not deployed.
15. Compilation with Build Tools
You can integrate the TypeScript compilation process into build tools like Webpack or Grunt. These tools often provide plugins specifically for TypeScript, giving you greater flexibility and automation.
Annotations
1. Basic Type Annotations
TypeScript allows you to annotate variables with basic types like string
, number
, boolean
, etc. These annotations specify what type of data a variable can hold, making the code more predictable.
2. Interface Annotations
You can define interfaces to annotate more complex object shapes. This is valuable for defining contracts within your code, such as the shape of an object passed to a function.
3. Array and Tuple Types
TypeScript allows you to specify the types contained within arrays and tuples. This ensures type safety when dealing with ordered collections of data.
4. Function Annotations
In TypeScript, you can annotate function parameters and return types. This adds an extra layer of validation, ensuring that functions are called with the correct types of arguments and that they return the correct type of data.
5. Enum Types
TypeScript supports enumerated types (enum
), allowing for named constants. Enums are useful for defining a set of named constants and can make your code more readable and maintainable.
6. Type Alias
You can create type aliases using the type
keyword, allowing you to give a name to complex type shapes. Type aliases are particularly useful for making the code more self-explanatory.
7. Type Inference
TypeScript is capable of inferring types in many cases, reducing the need for explicit annotations. Understanding when and how TypeScript infers types can make your code both robust and concise.
8. Union and Intersection Types
TypeScript allows for defining variables that can be of multiple types (union types) or must be of all specified types (intersection types). This enhances flexibility and allows for complex type relationships.
9. Generics Syntax
Generics provide a way to create reusable components that work over a variety of types. This is critical for writing code that is both type-safe and reusable.
10. Literal Types
Literal types allow you to specify exact values that a variable can hold. This is helpful for constraining a variable to a set of possible values, like 'small' | 'medium' | 'large'
.
11. any
and unknown
Types
TypeScript includes escape hatches like any
and unknown
when you either don't know a variable's type ahead of time or want to opt out of type-checking temporarily.
12. null
and undefined
Types
TypeScript allows you to explicitly set null
and undefined
as types. This helps in catching null-related errors and in defining optional properties in interfaces.
13. Conditional Types
With TypeScript, you can create types that depend on conditions, usually involving other types. This allows you to create complex, dynamic type logic.
14. Type Guards
TypeScript provides several ways to narrow down types using constructs like typeof
, instanceof
, and custom type guard functions. Type guards are essential for conditional logic where the type within a block scope must be narrowed.
15. Type Assertion
Sometimes you may know more about a type than TypeScript does. In those cases, you can use type assertion to specify a type explicitly, but caution is needed as it bypasses type checking.
Project Setup
1. Monorepo vs. Polyrepo
Deciding between a monorepo (one repository with multiple projects) and a polyrepo (each project in its own repository) has implications on code sharing, dependency management, and build processes. This choice will affect how easily you can manage and scale your projects in the long run.
2. Directory Structure
A well-organized directory structure can make the codebase easier to navigate and maintain. Following standard conventions for placing components, utilities, assets, and tests can expedite onboarding and development.
3. Naming Conventions
Adhering to established naming conventions for variables, files, and functions contributes to code readability and maintainability. These conventions facilitate communication between developers and assist in understanding code functionality quickly.
4. Code Modularization
Breaking down code into smaller, reusable modules promotes code reuse and makes the codebase easier to manage. Modularization also aids in isolating and fixing bugs, as well as making code testing more straightforward.
5. Dependency Management
Managing project dependencies effectively is critical for maintaining a healthy codebase. Using package managers like NPM or Yarn and keeping dependencies updated can save you from security vulnerabilities and potential bugs.
6. Source Control Strategies
Version control, often using tools like Git, is crucial for tracking changes, collaborating effectively, and enabling rollback capabilities. Branching strategies like Git Flow or GitHub Flow can provide structured ways to manage features, releases, and hotfixes.
7. Code Review Process
Incorporating a code review process can significantly improve code quality by allowing multiple sets of eyes to examine changes. This practice helps catch issues early and fosters knowledge sharing among team members.
8. Linting and Formatting
Using linting tools like ESLint, along with formatters like Prettier, can enforce code style and quality standards automatically. These tools can be integrated into the development workflow to catch issues early.
9. Testing Strategies
Implementing a testing strategy involving unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests can make your code more robust. Choosing the right frameworks and libraries for each test type is crucial.
10. Continuous Integration (CI)
Continuous Integration automates the building, testing, and validation of your codebase. CI tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, or GitHub Actions can catch issues early and streamline the release process.
11. Continuous Deployment (CD)
Continuous Deployment extends CI by automatically deploying verified code to production. This enables quicker release cycles and ensures that you're delivering value to your users more frequently.
12. Documentation
Well-maintained documentation, including code comments and external documents, can drastically reduce the learning curve for new developers and aid in debugging and extending the application.
13. Environment Configuration
Managing environment variables securely and effectively is crucial for separating config from code. This is vital for maintaining different settings between development, staging, and production environments.
14. Error Handling and Logging
Implementing a consistent error-handling and logging strategy can greatly help in debugging and monitoring application health. Tools like Sentry or Logstash can provide real-time error tracking and alerting.
15. Performance Monitoring
Utilizing performance monitoring tools like New Relic or Google Lighthouse can provide insights into your application's efficiency and user experience. Monitoring can help pinpoint bottlenecks and areas for optimization.
Adding a Type Definition File for Vanilla JS Libraries
1. What is a Type Definition File?
A Type Definition File (usually with a .d.ts
extension) provides TypeScript with information about the types in a JavaScript library. This enables TypeScript to perform type checking even when using libraries written in plain JavaScript.
2. Using DefinitelyTyped
DefinitelyTyped is a repository of community-contributed type definition files. It's often the first place to look for type definitions for popular JavaScript libraries.
3. Installing Types via npm
Type definition files from DefinitelyTyped can be easily installed using npm with the @types/
prefix. For example, to install types for jQuery, you would use npm install --save-dev @types/jquery
.
4. Manual Installation
Sometimes, you may need to manually create a type definition file. This is often the case for less popular or custom libraries where pre-made types may not be available.
5. declare
Keyword
When writing your own type definition file, the declare
keyword is used to define types without implementing them. This tells TypeScript what the shape of the JavaScript library is.
6. Module Augmentation
You can extend existing type definitions using module augmentation. This allows you to add your own types or modify third-party types to better fit your specific needs.
7. The any
Type as a Fallback
If you don't know the exact type of a variable, you can use the any
type as a temporary measure. However, this should be avoided when possible, as it bypasses type checking.
8. Function Overloading
Type definition files allow for function overloading. This is useful for JavaScript functions that accept different types of arguments and return different types of values based on those arguments.
9. The /// <reference types="..." />
Directive
This directive is used within a type definition file to specify dependencies on other type definition files. It helps in organizing types when they span across multiple files.
10. Triple-Slash Directives
Triple-slash directives like /// <reference path="..." />
can be used for manual referencing of type definition files, especially when automatic inclusion isn't feasible.
11. Ambient Namespaces
In some cases, JavaScript libraries attach themselves to global objects. Ambient namespaces can be used to describe these global changes.
12. Type Inference for Modules
When using modules, TypeScript can often infer the types of imports. However, a type definition file can provide more accurate and detailed information.
13. JSDoc Annotations
In absence of a .d.ts
file, TypeScript can use JSDoc annotations to infer types. While not as robust, this can be a quick way to get some level of type safety.
14. Distributing Type Definition Files
If you are a library author, distributing type definition files along with your JavaScript library can make it easier for TypeScript users to integrate your library into their projects.
15. Using tsconfig.json
with Type Definitions
You can specify the type definition files or directories in your tsconfig.json
file using the "types"
or "typeRoots"
fields. This offers greater control over how TypeScript compiler uses type definitions.