# TypeScript
* TypeScript is a statically typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript
* It adds optional static type definitions to JavaScript, enabling better tooling and error detection
* In TypeScript, types are checked at compile-time, not runtime
* A TypeScript file has an extension of .ts (or .tsx for React components)
* TypeScript follows JavaScript syntax but adds type annotations and advanced features
* We can compile and run a TypeScript file by the following commands:
`$ tsc filename.ts` (compile to JavaScript)
`$ node filename.js` (run the compiled JavaScript)
Or directly: `$ ts-node filename.ts`
#### TypeScript requires compilation to JavaScript before execution.
## Create and execute a program
1. Install TypeScript globally: `npm install -g typescript`
1. Create the program: `touch program.ts`
1. Write the TypeScript code and save it
1. Compile: `tsc program.ts`
1. Run: `node program.js`
### Basic Data Types
| Data Type | Description | Example |
| --------- | ----------- | ------- |
| number | Integer and floating point values | `42`, `3.14`, `-7` |
| string | Text values | `"hello"`, `'world'`, `` `template` `` |
| boolean | True/false values | `true`, `false` |
| undefined | Undefined value | `undefined` |
| null | Null value | `null` |
| any | Any type (disables type checking) | Can be anything |
| unknown | Type-safe counterpart of any | Requires type checking |
| void | Absence of any type | Function return type |
| never | Type that never occurs | Functions that throw errors |
| object | Non-primitive types | `{}`, `[]`, functions |
## Keywords and Reserved Words
- TypeScript includes all JavaScript keywords plus additional TypeScript-specific ones
| Keyword | Description | Category |
|---------- | ---------- | --------- |
| let | Declares a block-scoped variable | Variable Declaration |
| const | Declares a block-scoped constant | Variable Declaration |
| var | Declares a function-scoped variable | Variable Declaration |
| function | Declares a function | Function |
| class | Declares a class | Class |
| interface | Declares an interface | Type Definition |
| type | Declares a type alias | Type Definition |
| enum | Declares an enumeration | Type Definition |
| namespace | Declares a namespace | Module System |
| module | Declares a module | Module System |
| import | Imports from another module | Module System |
| export | Exports from current module | Module System |
| extends | Class/interface inheritance | Inheritance |
| implements | Class implements interface | Inheritance |
| public | Public access modifier | Access Modifier |
| private | Private access modifier | Access Modifier |
| protected | Protected access modifier | Access Modifier |
| readonly | Read-only property | Access Modifier |
| static | Static class member | Class Member |
| abstract | Abstract class/method | Class |
| async | Asynchronous function | Async Programming |
| await | Awaits a promise | Async Programming |
| new | Creates new instance | Object Creation |
| this | Current object reference | Object Reference |
| super | Parent class reference | Inheritance |
| typeof | Gets type of variable | Type Operation |
| keyof | Gets keys of type | Type Operation |
| in | Property existence check | Type Guard |
| instanceof | Instance type check | Type Guard |
| as | Type assertion | Type Assertion |
| is | Type predicate | Type Guard |
| infer | Infers type in conditional types | Advanced Types |
| declare | Ambient declarations | Declaration |
| get | Property getter | Accessor |
| set | Property setter | Accessor |
| yield | Generator yield | Generator |
## Operators
| Operator | Description |
|-|-|
| ( ) | Grouping, function call, type assertion |
| [ ] | Array indexing, array/tuple types |
| . | Property access |
| ?. | Optional chaining |
| ! | Non-null assertion, logical not |
| ~ | Bitwise not |
| \- | Unary minus, arithmetic subtraction |
| \+ | Unary plus, arithmetic addition |
| \* | Multiplication |
| / | Division |
| % | Modulo |
| \*\* | Exponentiation |
| << | Left shift |
| \>> | Right shift |
| \>>> | Unsigned right shift |
| < | Less than |
| <= | Less than or equal |
| \> | Greater than |
| \>= | Greater than or equal |
| == | Equality (with coercion) |
| === | Strict equality |
| != | Inequality (with coercion) |
| !== | Strict inequality |
| & | Bitwise AND |
| ^ | Bitwise XOR |
| \| | Bitwise OR, Union types |
| && | Logical AND |
| \|\| | Logical OR |
| ?? | Nullish coalescing |
| ? : | Ternary conditional |
| = | Assignment |
| += | Add and assign |
| -= | Subtract and assign |
| *= | Multiply and assign |
| /= | Divide and assign |
| %= | Modulo and assign |
| **= | Exponentiate and assign |
| <<= | Left shift and assign |
| \>>= | Right shift and assign |
| &= | Bitwise AND and assign |
| ^= | Bitwise XOR and assign |
| \|= | Bitwise OR and assign |
| , | Comma operator |
| => | Arrow function |
| ... | Spread/rest operator |
### Basic Data Structures
### Array
- Array is an ordered collection of elements of the same or different types.
- Arrays are created using square brackets or Array constructor:
```typescript
let numbers: number[] = [1, 2, 3, 4];
let fruits: Array = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"];
let mixed: (string | number)[] = [1, "two", 3];
```
- Array elements are indexed starting from 0.
- Arrays are mutable - you can change, add, and remove elements.
- Common array methods:
```typescript
let arr = [1, 2, 3];
arr.push(4); // Add to end: [1, 2, 3, 4]
arr.pop(); // Remove from end: [1, 2, 3]
arr.unshift(0); // Add to start: [0, 1, 2, 3]
arr.shift(); // Remove from start: [1, 2, 3]
arr.length; // Get length: 3
```
### Tuple
- Tuple is an array with a fixed number of elements of specific types.
- Tuples are created using square brackets with type annotations:
```typescript
let person: [string, number] = ["John", 30];
let coordinate: [number, number] = [10, 20];
```
- Tuple elements are ordered and have specific types at each position.
- You can access elements by index, but type checking ensures correctness:
```typescript
let point: [number, number] = [10, 20];
console.log(point[0]); // 10 (number)
console.log(point[1]); // 20 (number)
```
- Named tuples provide better readability:
```typescript
let user: [name: string, age: number] = ["Alice", 25];
```
- Optional and rest elements in tuples:
```typescript
let optional: [string, number?] = ["hello"];
let rest: [string, ...number[]] = ["coords", 1, 2, 3];
```
### Set
- Set is a collection of unique values of any type.
- Sets are created using the Set constructor:
```typescript
let uniqueNumbers = new Set([1, 2, 3, 2]); // {1, 2, 3}
let stringSet = new Set();
```
- Set operations:
```typescript
let mySet = new Set();
mySet.add("apple"); // Add element
mySet.has("apple"); // Check existence: true
mySet.delete("apple"); // Remove element
mySet.clear(); // Remove all elements
mySet.size; // Get size
```
- Iterating over Set:
```typescript
let fruits = new Set(["apple", "banana", "cherry"]);
for (let fruit of fruits) {
console.log(fruit);
}
```
### Map
- Map is a collection of key-value pairs where keys can be any type.
- Maps are created using the Map constructor:
```typescript
let userMap = new Map();
let mixedMap = new Map();
```
- Map operations:
```typescript
let map = new Map();
map.set("age", 30); // Add key-value pair
map.get("age"); // Get value: 30
map.has("age"); // Check key exists: true
map.delete("age"); // Remove key-value pair
map.clear(); // Remove all entries
map.size; // Get size
```
- Object vs Map:
```typescript
// Object - string/symbol keys only
let obj: { [key: string]: number } = { "age": 30 };
// Map - any type keys
let map = new Map();
map.set("age", 30);
map.set(42, 100);
map.set(true, 1);
```
### Object Types and Interfaces
- Objects store key-value pairs and are fundamental to TypeScript.
- Object type annotation:
```typescript
let person: { name: string; age: number } = {
name: "John",
age: 30
};
```
- Interface definition for better reusability:
```typescript
interface User {
readonly id: number; // Read-only property
name: string;
age?: number; // Optional property
[key: string]: any; // Index signature
}
let user: User = {
id: 1,
name: "Alice"
};
```
- Nested objects and complex types:
```typescript
interface Address {
street: string;
city: string;
country: string;
}
interface Person {
name: string;
address: Address;
hobbies: string[];
}
```
### Conditional branching
```typescript
// If-else statements
if (condition) {
// code block
} else if (anotherCondition) {
// code block
} else {
// code block
}
// Ternary operator
let result = condition ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse;
// Switch statement
switch (variable) {
case value1:
// code
break;
case value2:
// code
break;
default:
// code
break;
}
```
### Loops
TypeScript supports all JavaScript loop constructs:
#### For loop
```typescript
// Traditional for loop
for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
console.log(i);
}
// For-of loop (iterates over values)
let fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"];
for (let fruit of fruits) {
console.log(fruit);
}
// For-in loop (iterates over keys/indices)
for (let index in fruits) {
console.log(index, fruits[index]);
}
```
#### While loop
```typescript
let i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
console.log(i);
i++;
}
// Do-while loop
let j = 0;
do {
console.log(j);
j++;
} while (j < 5);
```
#### Loop control
```typescript
for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
if (i === 3) continue; // Skip iteration
if (i === 7) break; // Exit loop
console.log(i);
}
```
### Function definition
```typescript
// Function declaration
function functionName(param1: type, param2: type): returnType {
return value;
}
// Function expression
const functionName = function(param: type): returnType {
return value;
};
// Arrow function
const functionName = (param: type): returnType => {
return value;
};
// Arrow function (concise)
const functionName = (param: type): returnType => value;
```
### Function variations
```typescript
// Optional parameters
function greet(name: string, age?: number): string {
return age ? `Hello ${name}, you are ${age}` : `Hello ${name}`;
}
// Default parameters
function multiply(a: number, b: number = 1): number {
return a * b;
}
// Rest parameters
function sum(...numbers: number[]): number {
return numbers.reduce((total, num) => total + num, 0);
}
// Function overloads
function process(input: string): string;
function process(input: number): number;
function process(input: string | number): string | number {
if (typeof input === 'string') {
return input.toUpperCase();
}
return input * 2;
}
// Generic functions
function identity(arg: T): T {
return arg;
}
let result = identity("hello"); // Type is string
let result2 = identity(42); // Type inferred as number
```
### Function call
```typescript
functionName(argument1, argument2);
// With optional parameters
greet("John"); // "Hello John"
greet("John", 25); // "Hello John, you are 25"
// With rest parameters
sum(1, 2, 3, 4); // 10
// Generic function call
identity("hello");
identity(42); // Type inferred
```
### Classes
```typescript
class ClassName {
// Properties
public publicProperty: type;
private privateProperty: type;
protected protectedProperty: type;
readonly readonlyProperty: type;
static staticProperty: type;
// Constructor
constructor(param: type) {
this.publicProperty = param;
}
// Methods
public method(): returnType {
return value;
}
// Getters and setters
get property(): type {
return this.privateProperty;
}
set property(value: type) {
this.privateProperty = value;
}
// Static method
static staticMethod(): returnType {
return value;
}
}
// Inheritance
class ChildClass extends ParentClass {
constructor(param: type) {
super(param); // Call parent constructor
}
// Override method
method(): returnType {
return super.method(); // Call parent method
}
}
// Abstract class
abstract class AbstractClass {
abstract abstractMethod(): void;
concreteMethod(): void {
console.log("This is implemented");
}
}
```
### Key TypeScript Features
* **Static Typing**: Types are checked at compile-time
* **Type Inference**: TypeScript can often infer types automatically
* **Optional Typing**: You can gradually add types to existing JavaScript
* **Generics**: Create reusable components that work with multiple types
* **Interfaces**: Define contracts for objects and classes
* **Enums**: Create named constants
* **Union Types**: Variables can be one of several types
* **Intersection Types**: Combine multiple types
* **Type Guards**: Runtime type checking
* **Decorators**: Add metadata to classes and methods
### Compilation
* TypeScript code must be compiled to JavaScript before execution
* The TypeScript compiler (`tsc`) performs type checking and transpilation
* Configuration is managed through `tsconfig.json`
* TypeScript can target different JavaScript versions (ES5, ES6, etc.)
* Source maps can be generated for debugging compiled code
#### Sample TypeScript Code
**hello.ts**
```typescript
// TypeScript source code
interface User {
name: string;
age: number;
isActive?: boolean;
}
class UserManager {
private users: User[] = [];
addUser(user: User): void {
this.users.push(user);
console.log(`Added user: ${user.name}`);
}
getActiveUsers(): User[] {
return this.users.filter(user => user.isActive ?? true);
}
getUserCount(): number {
return this.users.length;
}
}
// Generic function
function processData(data: T[], processor: (item: T) => T): T[] {
return data.map(processor);
}
// Usage
const userManager = new UserManager();
const newUser: User = {
name: "John Doe",
age: 30,
isActive: true
};
userManager.addUser(newUser);
// Arrow functions with types
const formatUser = (user: User): string =>
`${user.name} (${user.age} years old)`;
// Union types and type guards
function displayInfo(value: string | number | boolean): string {
if (typeof value === "string") {
return `Text: ${value.toUpperCase()}`;
} else if (typeof value === "number") {
return `Number: ${value.toFixed(2)}`;
} else {
return `Boolean: ${value ? "Yes" : "No"}`;
}
}
console.log(displayInfo("hello"));
console.log(displayInfo(42.567));
console.log(displayInfo(true));
```
#### Compilation Commands
```bash
# Compile single file
tsc hello.ts
# Compile with specific target
tsc hello.ts --target ES2020
# Compile with source maps
tsc hello.ts --sourceMap
# Watch mode (recompile on changes)
tsc hello.ts --watch
# Compile all files in project
tsc
# Check for errors without generating files
tsc --noEmit
# Compile with strict mode
tsc hello.ts --strict
```
#### Compiled JavaScript Output
**hello.js** (compiled from above TypeScript)
```javascript
"use strict";
// JavaScript output (target ES2017)
class UserManager {
constructor() {
this.users = [];
}
addUser(user) {
this.users.push(user);
console.log(`Added user: ${user.name}`);
}
getActiveUsers() {
return this.users.filter(user => user.isActive ?? true);
}
getUserCount() {
return this.users.length;
}
}
// Generic function (types removed)
function processData(data, processor) {
return data.map(processor);
}
// Usage
const userManager = new UserManager();
const newUser = {
name: "John Doe",
age: 30,
isActive: true
};
userManager.addUser(newUser);
// Arrow functions
const formatUser = (user) => `${user.name} (${user.age} years old)`;
// Type guards remain as runtime checks
function displayInfo(value) {
if (typeof value === "string") {
return `Text: ${value.toUpperCase()}`;
}
else if (typeof value === "number") {
return `Number: ${value.toFixed(2)}`;
}
else {
return `Boolean: ${value ? "Yes" : "No"}`;
}
}
console.log(displayInfo("hello"));
console.log(displayInfo(42.567));
console.log(displayInfo(true));
```
#### tsconfig.json Configuration
```json
{
"compilerOptions": {
// Basic Options
"target": "ES2020", // Target JavaScript version
"module": "commonjs", // Module system
"lib": ["ES2020", "DOM"], // Include library files
"outDir": "./dist", // Output directory
"rootDir": "./src", // Input directory
"strict": true, // Enable strict type checking
// Additional Checks
"noUnusedLocals": true, // Error on unused variables
"noUnusedParameters": true, // Error on unused parameters
"noImplicitReturns": true, // Error on missing return statements
"noFallthroughCasesInSwitch": true, // Error on fallthrough cases
// Module Resolution
"moduleResolution": "node", // Module resolution strategy
"baseUrl": "./", // Base directory
"paths": { // Path mapping
"@/*": ["src/*"],
"@utils/*": ["src/utils/*"]
},
// Source Maps & Debugging
"sourceMap": true, // Generate source maps
"inlineSourceMap": false, // Don't inline source maps
"declaration": true, // Generate .d.ts files
"declarationMap": true, // Generate .d.ts.map files
// Experimental
"experimentalDecorators": true, // Enable decorators
"emitDecoratorMetadata": true, // Emit decorator metadata
// JavaScript Support
"allowJs": true, // Allow JavaScript files
"checkJs": false, // Type check JavaScript files
// Other Options
"esModuleInterop": true, // CommonJS/ES6 interop
"skipLibCheck": true, // Skip lib.d.ts type checking
"forceConsistentCasingInFileNames": true, // Consistent file names
"removeComments": true, // Remove comments from output
"noEmitOnError": true // Don't emit if there are errors
},
"include": [
"src/**/*", // Include all files in src
"tests/**/*" // Include test files
],
"exclude": [
"node_modules", // Exclude node_modules
"dist", // Exclude output directory
"**/*.test.ts", // Exclude test files from compilation
"**/*.spec.ts"
],
"files": [
// Explicitly include specific files (optional)
"src/main.ts"
]
}
```
#### Package.json Scripts
```json
{
"name": "typescript-project",
"version": "1.0.0",
"scripts": {
"build": "tsc",
"start": "node dist/main.js",
"dev": "ts-node src/main.ts",
"watch": "tsc --watch",
"clean": "rm -rf dist",
"type-check": "tsc --noEmit"
},
"devDependencies": {
"typescript": "^4.9.0",
"ts-node": "^10.9.0",
"@types/node": "^18.0.0"
}
}
```
#### Compilation Examples with Different Targets
**Original TypeScript:**
```typescript
const greet = (name: string = "World"): string => `Hello, ${name}!`;
const user = { name: "Alice", age: 30 };
const { name, age } = user;
```
**Compiled to ES5:**
```javascript
var greet = function (name) {
if (name === void 0) { name = "World"; }
return "Hello, " + name + "!";
};
var user = { name: "Alice", age: 30 };
var name = user.name, age = user.age;
```
**Compiled to ES2020:**
```javascript
const greet = (name = "World") => `Hello, ${name}!`;
const user = { name: "Alice", age: 30 };
const { name, age } = user;
```
#### Error Examples
**TypeScript with errors:**
```typescript
// Type errors that prevent compilation
let message: string = 42; // Error: Type 'number' is not assignable to type 'string'
let numbers: number[] = ["a", "b"]; // Error: Type 'string' is not assignable to type 'number'
function add(a: number, b: number): number {
return a + b;
}
add("hello", "world"); // Error: Argument of type 'string' is not assignable to parameter of type 'number'
```
**Compiler output:**
```bash
$ tsc error-example.ts
error-example.ts(2,5): error TS2322: Type 'number' is not assignable to type 'string'.
error-example.ts(3,5): error TS2322: Type 'string[]' is not assignable to type 'number[]'.
error-example.ts(8,5): error TS2345: Argument of type 'string' is not assignable to parameter of type 'number'.
```