TypeScript vs JavaScript – Understand the Difference

Typescript is a programming language used for creating complex applications following OOP principles and where typing is optional whereas JavaScript is used to create web pages which is quite similar to C++. Both are programming languages with some key differences. 

JavaScript: 

• Dynamic Typing: JavaScript is a dynamically typed programming language. Thus, there is no need to specify a variable’s data type while declaring.
• Interpreted Language: JavaScript code can be easily run directly in the browser. Web browsers have an interpreter that interprets every single line and runs JavaScript code.
• Prototype-based Inheritance: JavaScript uses prototype-based inheritance, where objects can inherit properties and methods directly from other objects.
• Loose Syntax: JavaScript has a more lenient syntax, which can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior or errors.

TypeScript: 

• Static Typing: It has static typing capabilities, making it a statically typed superset of JavaScript.
• Compiled Language: Before being run, the compiler compiles the code into plain JavaScript in order to enable error checks and optimization.
• Class-based Inheritance: It supports class-based inheritance, similar to many other object-oriented programming languages like Java or C#.
• Strict Syntax: It has a stricter syntax compared to JavaScript, which can help catch errors at compile-time rather than runtime.
• Strong Typing: Its strong typing system helps prevent type-related bugs and makes code easier to understand and maintain.

The disadvantages of TypeScript are as follows:

• It introduces additional syntax and concepts, such as static typing and interfaces, which may require developers to invest time in learning.
• Before the code can be run in a browser or on a server, it must be compiled into JavaScript. 
• It can be difficult to integrate TypeScript into existing JavaScript codebases, particularly if the codebase is big or has little documentation.
• With capabilities like code completion, refactoring, and static analysis, it offers strong tooling support; yet, putting these tools up and customizing them can be challenging, particularly for novices.

The disadvantages of JavaScript are as follows:

• The dynamic type of JavaScript might result in runtime problems that are hard to find in development.
• JavaScript code may behave differently in different web browsers, which can cause compatibility problems. It might take a lot of effort and time to ensure consistent behavior and performance across different browsers.
• When JavaScript applications get more complicated, they might be harder to comprehend, debug, and expand without the right structure and design.

TypeScript is becoming more and more popular in the Node.js ecosystem for backend development. It is beneficial for larger codebases and teams, as it provides better code documentation and enhances code maintainability.

Compared to JavaScript, TypeScript has greater IDE support, including refactoring tools, code completion, and type checking. Thus, it can lower the probability of bugs and greatly increase developer productivity.

The static type system in TypeScript guarantees uniform handling of data across the program and helps to prevent frequent runtime mistakes. This can result in backend services that are stronger and more dependable, which lowers the possibility of problems with production and downtime.

As a result, many developers and organizations are adopting TypeScript for building backend services, particularly in the Node.js ecosystem where it has gained significant traction.