The development field keeps expanding! What’s more, devs and teams have their persona preferences.
One of the most beloved languages in this context is Typescript.
Launched in 2012, TS has grown into a key tool for companies looking to build scalable JavaScript applications.
Typescript still keeps its relevance mainly due to its robust static typing, improved tooling and integration with modern frameworks.
What’s more, once the seventh most popular language in 2021, it climbed up to fourth place in 2024!
That’s why we’ll cover the main edges that make it a key player in the development game. We’ll go over its trends, updates and ecosystems. Let’s go!
What is Typescript?
To sum it up, Typescript is an open-source programming language developed by Microsoft in 2012.
It’s most known, as its website states, for being a "JavaScript with syntax for types." What’s more, it’s referred to as the superset of JavaScript (JS).
TS is well used to develop JS and web apps, combining it with tools like Angular or Node.
It contains plain JS code plus specific keywords and constructs. The code gets translated to JS through compilation— any browser that supports JS can use it!
Is Typescript a Framework?
The question “Is Typescript a Framework?” has a simple answer: No, Typescript is not a framework. TS is a statically typed superset of JS that compiles to plain JavaScript.
Frameworks like React or Angular provide structure and predefined functionalities for building applications.
Contrariwise, Typescript is a programming language that enhances JavaScript with optional static typing, interfaces, and modern ECMAScript features.
TS can also help developers catch errors early and improve code maintainability. It’s great to work efficiently with modern JavaScript frameworks by providing tooling and type safety.
The Typescript language does not impose architectural patterns or application structure like a traditional framework would.
Basic Concepts of Typescript
1. Typescript Types
One of the main Typescript features is types. These represent the properties and functions of a specific value. Its types get categorized: there are primitive types and object types.
Primitive types include string, number, boolean, null and undefined. Contratiwise, object types include classes, functions and arrays.
The purpose of types is to help detect errors in the compilation. Also, they allow devs to understand the connections between values and variables.
2. Typescript Classes
Classes are special functions that mimic the class keyword and create new objects. Although classes are present in JS, Typescript adds some twists.
TS includes type designations to members and parameters of methods. These are great for using object-oriented techniques like abstraction and encapsulation.
A key element is that classes associate behaviors with data. As a result, classes do wonders when you know you’ll need to change the state of an object over time.
3. Typescript Interfaces
Typescript interfaces name types and define contracts, both in your code and any code outside of your project.
Also, they make the code easier to read by defining the properties and types that an object can have.
4. Typescript Generics
Typescript generics let you create reusable components. When made with generics, components can work with various data types.
These generics work like C# or Java to make functions, classes and interfaces. In the end, this TS feature guarantees more flexibility and scalability.
When to use Typescript?
Now that we’ve covered Typescript, let’s look at its usage more thoroughly. To answer the question of when to use typescript, let’s think about its most common usage scenarios:
- Large Codebases. Typescript's type checking can make considerable differences in reducing errors. This feature comes in handy for both large codebases and big teams.
- JS Problems. A transition to Typescript may be easier than JS if a team usually works with solid typed languages like C#. Since Typescript and C# have similar syntaxes, it's an even easier transition.
- Frameworks and Libraries. Mixing Typescript with Angular or Redux can help you make the most of each tool and improve performance. Take a look at our Wurrly showcase, an excellent LMS, for a project completed with Typescript!
TypeScript Evolution as of 2025
TS has seen multiple updates, bringing enhancements in performance, usability and developer experience:
- TS 5.8 (Feb 2025): Improved type checking accuracy and conditional feature support.
- TS 5.6 (Set 2024):
Variadic tuple supportandinferred type predicatesfor type inference. - TS 5.4 (Mar 2024):
Object.groupByandMap.groupByfunctions to ease data manipulation - TS 5.2 (Aug 2023):
usingdeclarations for explicit resource management and decorator metadata enhancements. - TS 5.1 (Jun 2023): TS simplified
undefinedas a function return type. It also enabled separate types for getters and setters. - TS 5.0 (Mar 2023): This update introduced decorator support, aligning with ECMAScript proposals and improving meta-programming.
Popular Typescript Frameworks
Since it stems from JS, countless frameworks and libraries work well with Typescript!
1. Nest for Typescript
Released in 2018, Nest is a popular Typescript framework and one of the fastest-growing frameworks in the Node.js ecosystem.
With this extensible, versatile and progressive framework, you can build scalable and efficient Node.js web apps. It also includes excellent documentation and an application structure supported by Angular.
2. Feathers for Typescript
Feathers is a lightweight web framework released in 2014, currently used to build real-time apps and REST APIs.
The minimalist web framework allows universal use, and it simplifies the development of modern web and mobile apps.
Among its features, Feathers supports both relational and non-relational databases, as well as authentication.
3. LoopBack for Typescript
Based on Express, LoopBack is an extensible open-source Node and Typescript framework.
Among its features, it has ready-to-use built-in models and access level controls. With its built-in API explorer and documentation, it’s often used to build APIs and microservices.
Typescript Testing Frameworks
1. Jest for Typescript
Jest is a JavaScript testing framework focused on simplicity. It works not only with Typescript but also with Babel, Angular, React and more.
Some of Jest's functionalities include assertions, coverage analysis, mocking and parallel testing. This Typescript testing framework is fast and easy to set up.
2. Mocha + Chai for Typescript
Mocha/Chai is a fantastic Typescript framework/library combo, with Mocha as a feature-rich testing framework.
Contrariwise, Chai is both a BDD (behavior-driven) and TDD (test-driven) assertion library. Both run on Node and in browsers.
Mocha is best known for including a test runner. Yet, as it does not include assertions, pairing it with Chai does the trick. You can look into Sinon.js if you need test doubles!
3. Jasmine for Typescript
Jasmine is a BDD framework for JavaScript testing that doesn’t need a DOM nor depend on any other JS framework.
As a testing framework, it's fast and has a clear and easy-to-understand syntax. It's also available for both Node and browsers.
Nonetheless, the only thing not built into Jasmine is a test runner— in that case, you can use Karma.
Typescript UI Frameworks
1. Angular for Typescript
We couldn’t fail to mention Angular— the open-source framework is wholly written with Typescript.
Angular is cross-platform, flexible and has excellent performance and full support from Google.
It also includes significant UI components and component libraries— NGX Bootstrap, Clarity, and NG Bootstrap, to name a few.
2. React Native for Typescript
The popular UI framework React relies on the “learn once, write anywhere” paradigm.
What’s more, you can create Android and iOS apps with React Native. You can combine them with the beloved React JS library in both cases.
As a framework, React Native is open-source, cross-platform and UI-design focused.
3. Vue for Typescript
Vue.js is an open-source, developer-friendly and progressive JS framework. It’s most known for its small but super-fast DOM and its excellent documentation.
The framework shares some similarities with both Angular and React, like template syntax and component-based architectures.
On top of that, there are plenty of great UI libraries available for Vue.js. Some of these are Vuetify, Element and Vue Material.
10 Reasons to Use Typescript
This programming language has a vast number of benefits! Here are our top 10 reasons to use Typescript:
- Simplifying JavaScript: TS eases code reading and debugging.
- Open-source: It’s flexible, agile and cost-effective.
- Easy to read: As it’s more explicit, it’s easier to get. This feature is handy when different devs don’t work with the same languages.
- Type system: While no language comes bug-free, Typescript’s type system prevents many errors. Type-checking can also save a lot of time.
- Runs everywhere: Since it stems from JS, Typescript can run anywhere JS does.
- Community: Typescript has a large, active community! There’s a myriad of resources and tools, as well as devs willing to help whenever a problem arises.
- Object-oriented: Object-oriented programming keeps your code clean and robust. This approach is key to improving quality and maintainability.
- Library Compatibility: There were countless libraries when TS launched, and it’s compatible with most third-party libraries.
- JS Compiling: Well, at least those still in use, starting with ES3.
- Static typing: Statically-typed languages offer protection from runtime errors, performance optimization and IDE assistance.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to use Typescript and countless resources available to work with it! If you want to take your TS game to the next level, get in touch with Capicua! 💌
