Why I Switched to TypeScript (And Why You Should Too) - Raj Bhensdadiya

I confess—it took me a while sometime back when I avoided TypeScript at all costs. I remember starting a project where I had to declare complex data structures, and the extra effort of creating types seemed tiresome. I just wanted to write in JavaScript and move at a fast rate, not waste time debugging type errors before I even ran my program. It was a barrier I did not require, slowing me down with all its type declarations and strict rules. JavaScript was simple, flexible, and quick. I didn't want to add complexity to my workflow.

But all that changed. Overnight.

Now, I don't start a single project without TypeScript. It's no longer a nuisance—it's an absolute necessity. In fact, I haven't had an undefined error in my applications since switching over to TypeScript. It's streamlined my development cycle, reduced debug time, and ultimately spared me the headache of having to deal with runtime surprises.

If you're still in doubt about applying TypeScript, let me tell you why it's worth the trouble.

What is TypeScript?

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that includes static types. That is, TypeScript introduces type safety to JavaScript, catching bugs at development time rather than runtime. It compiles to ordinary JavaScript, so it will execute in any environment that supports JavaScript.

In a nutshell, TypeScript helps you:

Prevent runtime common mistakes by catching them at compile time.
Cleaner, more readable code.
Improved developer experience due to enhanced tooling and autocompletion.

Why I Love TypeScript Now

1. No More undefined Errors

One of my biggest frustrations with JavaScript was encountering undefined errors when I least expected to. TypeScript fixes this by enforcing strict type checking. If there is any possibility of a value being undefined, TypeScript makes me deal with it before the code even runs.

2. Catch Errors Before They Reach Users

With JavaScript, many of the mistakes don't appear until the code is literally running. That means customers might have a broken experience before you are even aware there is a bug. TypeScript, on the other hand, informs me about these issues when I'm coding so that I can fix them before they ever reach production.

3. Saves Time While Debugging

JavaScript debugging largely translates to a whole lot of console.log() and error and guesswork. TypeScript reduces so much of this debugging through more precise error messages and improved tooling support, including type inference and strict mode, which enable it to detect errors before they are runtime errors. The compiler is my initial line of defense, trapping issues before I even run my code.

4. Better Autocompletion & Developer Experience

Since TypeScript knows the exact variable and function types, it has great autocompletion and IntelliSense in sophisticated editors like VS Code. This speeds up and simplifies development, especially when working on larger codebases.

TypeScript vs JavaScript

Feature	JavaScript	TypeScript
Type Safety	❌ No	✅ Yes
Error Checking	❌ Runtime	✅ Compile-time
Code Maintainability	❌ Can become messy	✅ More structured
IDE Support	✅ Limited	✅ Enhanced with IntelliSense
Debugging Time	⏳ Longer	⚡ Faster

Since JavaScript is so dynamic and flexible, TypeScript brings in structure and safety so that it is ideal for scalable software.

Where TypeScript Excels: Use Cases

TypeScript excels especially in:

Large-Scale Applications: Ensure maintainability and prevent runtime errors.
Next.js & React Projects: Plays well with next-gen frameworks and enhances developer productivity.
Backend Development: Great for Node.js applications that require robust typing.
Collaborative Projects: Helps teams work together with clearly defined types and structures.

Since my major tech stack is Next.js and TypeScript, I’ve seen firsthand how TypeScript improves the developer experience, making it my go-to choice for any project.

Best Resources to Learn TypeScript

If you’re looking to get started with TypeScript, here are some great resources:

Conclusion

I used to hate TypeScript. Now I couldn't live without it. If you've ever been exasperated by hard-to-debug JavaScript issues or nasty code, give TypeScript a shot. The front-loaded learning curve is well worth the long-term benefits of maintainability, performance, and developer satisfaction.

Also, if you're interested, I wrote a blog on the React's Virtual DOM, where I analyze how it does optimizations on the rendering and boosts the user experience—check it out here.