¿Qué es TypeScript y por qué usarlo?

The evolution of JavaScript has been remarkable since its inception, and over time the need arose for tools to complement its capabilities. TypeScript emerges as a robust solution for developers seeking greater security in their applications. This language, which acts as a type auditor for JavaScript, allows errors to be detected before code execution, providing an additional layer of protection that is invaluable in complex and scalable projects.

What is TypeScript and why is it important?

TypeScript functions as a type auditor for JavaScript applications, running before the code is put into action. This fundamental feature allows you to identify potential problems at the development stage, avoiding errors that could manifest themselves during execution.

For example, while in JavaScript you can perform operations such as adding a string variable (name) with a numeric variable (age) without receiving prior warnings, TypeScript will alert you to this type incompatibility:

// In JavaScript (without warnings)let name = "John";let age = 20;let result = name + age; // Concatenation: "John20"
// In TypeScriptlet name: string = "John";let age: number = 20;let result: string = name + age; // Error: Type 'number' is not assignable to type 'string'.

This ability of TypeScript to detect inconsistencies in data types prevents common errors that might go unnoticed in pure JavaScript, significantly improving code quality and maintainability.

When should you learn TypeScript?

TypeScript is not recommended as a first programming language. Ideally, you should have previous JavaScript experience before delving into TypeScript, as the latter builds on the fundamentals of the former.

If you already have experience with JavaScript, learning TypeScript can be a rewarding experience which:

• Improves early bug detection
• Facilitates code maintenance on large projects
• Provides better implicit documentation across types
• Improves the development experience with more accurate auto-completion

The history and evolution of JavaScript

JavaScript will be 20 years old in December 2025, and during this time it has undergone numerous evolutions. For more than a decade, it remained the world's most widely used programming language, until Python and the rise of artificial intelligence displaced it from that position.

What started as a simple scripting language for adding basic functionality to websites grew so rapidly that its structural development could not keep pace with its adoption. This gap between growth and readiness is precisely where TypeScript finds its raison d'être.

TypeScript's purpose in modern development

TypeScript was designed specifically to create more robust and scalable applications, addressing the limitations that JavaScript presented in these respects. By providing a static type system, TypeScript allows developers to:

• Define clear data structures
• Document interfaces and contracts between components
• Detect inconsistencies before execution
• Facilitate safe refactorings

TypeScript represents a natural evolution for JavaScript developers looking to take their skills to the next level, especially when working on large-scale projects or in large teams where code clarity is crucial.

Transitioning from JavaScript to TypeScript can positively transform your experience as a developer, providing you with tools that make building complex applications safer and more predictable. If you already have experience with JavaScript, exploring TypeScript could be the next logical step in your professional growth.