Hey everyone! I'm 16 and getting ready to start sixth form college next year, where I'll be learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. My college project is coming up at the end of the second year, so I really want to get a head start. I've already dived into HTML and CSS with a short YouTube course and now I'm looking to tackle JavaScript too before classes begin.
But here's the twist: my friend recommended that I learn TypeScript instead. I'm a bit confused about the differences between the two. Would using TypeScript in college be very different from JavaScript? I'm also unsure if TypeScript would even be allowed for my coursework, so I'm debating if it's worth my time to learn.
Also, while I have you all here, do you have any project ideas or libraries I could check out once I master HTML, CSS, and either JS or TS? I've learned Python up to OOP, and I'd love to combine that with the web technologies for my portfolio. I'm using VS Code and have a GitHub account, but I've yet to figure out how to use it properly. Any help would be appreciated!
2 Answers
TypeScript is essentially just JavaScript with added static typing. This means it can help you catch bugs before they happen! It’s really a great choice because it makes code easier to read and maintain. If you learn TypeScript, you'll actually get a handle on JavaScript too since TypeScript builds on it. That said, JavaScript is easier to start with because you can jump straight into it and see immediate results. If you want to get a quick win, maybe start with some JS basics, then transition into TypeScript. Overall, I’d recommend TypeScript for long-term projects, as it can save you headaches later on!
Definitely! You’ll find that most of the concepts overlap; just focus on understanding the basics of JavaScript first.
I’d say learning TypeScript will definitely benefit you in the long run because it does everything JavaScript does, plus more! It has a type system that can improve performance and code quality. That said, JS is more forgiving to beginners and has a larger community support if you run into issues. If you stick to smaller projects to start, JavaScript might be easier, but TypeScript is definitely workable for them too. Just keep in mind that it might take a bit longer to learn since it’s more structured!
Got it! Thanks for explaining that! So would you recommend learning JS first, then jumping into TS?
Yeah, I think that's a solid plan! It gives you a good foundation to build on.
Thanks, that makes sense! So if I start with JS, will it be pretty easy to switch to TS afterward?