Why More JavaScript Developers Are Switching to TypeScript

JavaScript is everywhere—web apps, mobile apps, backend APIs—but as projects grow more complex, plain JavaScript starts to show its cracks. That’s why more developers are reaching for TypeScript, a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing and modern tooling.

This isn’t just a niche trend. According to the RedMonk Language Rankings, TypeScript is now the 12th most popular language, up from 17th just a few years ago. Major companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, and Slack have adopted it across their stacks. So, what’s driving this shift—and is it worth your team making the leap?

Let’s break it down.

1. Type Safety Prevents Bugs Before They Ship

One of TypeScript’s headline features is static type checking. This means TypeScript checks your code for type errors during compilation—not after you’ve pushed it to production.

🔍 JavaScript Example (Risky)

✅ TypeScript Example (Safe)

By catching bugs early, TypeScript reduces the risk of runtime errors—especially helpful in large codebases or when multiple developers are working together.

2. Better Developer Experience

TypeScript supercharges your editor with auto-completion, intelligent code navigation, and inline documentation. These features save time and reduce guesswork.

With proper types, your IDE knows what properties and methods are available—no need to constantly jump to documentation.

🧠 Example

This kind of support makes development faster and less error-prone. It’s no coincidence that 51% of JS/TS developers use Visual Studio Code, which is built by Microsoft—the same team behind TypeScript.

3. Scalability: Managing Large Codebases

TypeScript isn’t just about preventing typos. It gives structure to your code with interfaces, enums, generics, and advanced type systems.

In large projects, this structure pays off. Developers can understand, modify, and extend codebases more confidently.

🧩 Example: Defining Reusable Interfaces

Even months later, you or another developer can come back to this function and know exactly what’s expected.

Case in Point: Angular

The Angular framework is built with TypeScript. Why? Because its robust typing system allows teams to build complex enterprise apps with fewer surprises. Angular takes full advantage of interfaces, decorators, and types to maintain consistency across large teams.

4. Gradual Adoption: Start Small, Grow Safely

One of TypeScript’s best features is its opt-in nature. You don’t need to rewrite your whole project. You can convert one file at a time.

How it works:

1. Rename .js files to .ts

2. Add a tsconfig.json to your project

3. Begin typing your functions or importing types from libraries

4. Use // @ts-ignore or the any type temporarily where needed

This means you can modernize incrementally without halting development. Start with new features, slowly refactor old code, and improve as you go.

5. Strong Ecosystem and Tooling

TypeScript is now widely supported:

• React, Vue, and Angular have official TypeScript support

• NPM packages often include .d.ts files with type definitions

• Tools like ESLint, Prettier, and Jest integrate seamlessly

Example: Typing a React Component

With this setup, your IDE will give real-time feedback if you forget to pass label or onClick.

6. Adopted by Industry Leaders

TypeScript isn’t just popular with indie devs—it’s used by major players:

• Slack: Migrated large parts of their Electron-based app to TypeScript

• Airbnb: Adopted TypeScript to scale their frontend systems

• Microsoft: Uses TypeScript across VS Code, Azure, and more

• Shopify, Asana, and Stripe: All have large TypeScript codebases

When top-tier engineering teams choose TypeScript, it sends a strong signal: this is not just a dev preference—it’s a strategic decision to improve quality and maintainability.

7. Yes, There Are Trade-Offs

TypeScript isn’t magic. It comes with some challenges:

• Learning Curve: Developers unfamiliar with types may struggle at first

• Verbose Code: More typing means more code—literally

• Type Errors: Some error messages can be hard to decipher

• Third-party Types: Not all NPM packages have complete or correct typings

But most teams find these costs are front-loaded. As developers get used to the tooling, the benefits start to outweigh the growing pains.

Conclusion: JavaScript Isn’t Dead—It’s Just Leveling Up

TypeScript doesn’t replace JavaScript—it builds on it. It brings the power of static typing, modern tooling, and structured programming to the world’s most flexible language.

If you’re building a side project, TypeScript might be optional.

If you’re building a product, platform, or anything that’s going to scale—TypeScript isn’t just worth considering. It’s becoming the default.

Sources

• JetBrains Developer Ecosystem Survey 2024

• LogRocket Blog on TypeScript Benefits and Pitfalls

• RedMonk Language Rankings

• The New Stack on TypeScript Adoption and Growth

Learn TypeScript – Full Tutorial

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