The Untold Story of TypeScript



AI Summary

  • In March 2025, Microsoft announced the rewriting of the TypeScript compiler in Go, promising up to a 10x speed boost for developers.
  • TypeScript emerged to address issues in JavaScript, particularly for large applications where management and debugging can become challenging.
  • Introduced in 2012, TypeScript began as a way to add static typing to JavaScript, enabling developers to catch errors at compile time.
  • Its popularity grew rapidly, especially with the endorsement from Google’s Angular framework in 2015, which adopted TypeScript instead of developing a competing solution.
  • By the early 2020s, TypeScript became a staple in development, with major companies using it to enhance code reliability and reduce bugs.
  • Performance issues with the original JavaScript-based compiler prompted Microsoft to develop a new Go-based compiler (Project Corser), which dramatically improves build speed and editor responsiveness.
  • TypeScript’s evolution has influenced broader trends in JavaScript, contributing to its integration of type annotations natively.
  • The language continues to set standards for modern web development, making it crucial for both new and existing projects.