TypeScript basics

JavaScript is not strongly typed. It is a language that is very dynamic, as it allows for objects to change their types, properties, and behavior on the fly. TypeScript, however, is strongly typed, and as such will enforce rules that govern how we use variables, functions, and objects.

In this section of the chapter, we will work through the basics of the TypeScript language. We will start with the concepts of strong typing, or static typing as it is also known. We will then move on to exploring some of the basic types that the language uses, and how the language can detect what type a variable is, based on how and where it is used within our code. We will then tackle the basics of function signatures, show how to debug our code with VS Code, and finally see how to import and use third-party JavaScript libraries.

Strong typing

Strong typing, or static typing as it is also known, means that when we create a variable, or define a parameter in a function...