5 TypeScript: Next-level JavaScript

 

This chapter covers

  • Using best practices with React and TypeScript
  • Introducing static typing with TypeScript
  • Reducing errors and increasing documentation with types

As we venture further into the realm of professional React development, we come across a pivotal tool in our arsenal: TypeScript. This chapter marks a significant step in enhancing your skills and understanding as a developer. TypeScript, often referred to as “JavaScript with superpowers,” opens the door to a new world of possibilities in terms of robust, statically typed code and cleaner, more maintainable applications.

Over the past few years, TypeScript has gained widespread adoption in the JavaScript community. Its ability to catch bugs at compile time, provide improved code navigation and autocompletion, and enhance collaboration between developers has made it a go-to choice for building modern web applications. In this chapter, we will embark on a journey to understand TypeScript’s fundamentals, its advanced features, and its application within the React ecosystem.

Note The source code for the examples in this chapter is available at https://reactlikea.pro/ch05.

5.1 The importance of TypeScript

Trying to introduce TypeScript in a few chapters is like trying to explain all of calculus in a single math class. TypeScript is a huge topic, well deserving of complete books, and a lot of great literature about it is already available.

5.2 Introduction to TypeScript

5.2.1 TypeScript files and React

5.2.2 Static types

5.2.3 Employee display

5.2.4 Optional properties

5.3 Advanced TypeScript with generics

5.3.1 Understanding generic types

5.3.2 Typing children

5.3.3 Extending interfaces

5.3.4 Spreading props in general

5.3.5 Restricting and loosening types

5.3.6 Using optional and required properties

5.3.7 Using either/or properties

5.3.8 Forwarding refs

Summary