TypeScript Tricks

Basics

TS Running Code

Running TypeScript Code

TypeScript code runs via tsc compilation to JavaScript with ts-node for scripts.

Introduction to Running TypeScript Code

TypeScript is a powerful language that builds on JavaScript by adding static types. To execute TypeScript code, it must first be compiled into JavaScript. This can be achieved using the TypeScript compiler tsc or by using ts-node for running scripts directly.

Compiling TypeScript with tsc

The TypeScript Compiler (tsc) is the most common way to convert TypeScript code to JavaScript. This process involves compiling the TypeScript files into JavaScript files, which can then be executed in any JavaScript environment such as browsers or Node.js.

To compile TypeScript code using tsc, follow these steps:

  • Ensure TypeScript is installed in your project. You can do this by running npm install -g typescript.
  • Compile the TypeScript file by running tsc filename.ts. This will generate a filename.js file.

Here’s a simple example:

After running tsc example.ts, a new file example.js will be created with the following content:

Running TypeScript with ts-node

While tsc is great for compiling TypeScript code, ts-node offers a more efficient way to run TypeScript files directly without compiling them to JavaScript first. This tool is particularly useful for running scripts or development purposes.

To use ts-node, follow these steps:

  • Install ts-node globally by running npm install -g ts-node.
  • Run your TypeScript file directly with ts-node filename.ts.

Using the same example, you can execute the example.ts file directly with:

This command will output Hello, TypeScript! directly to the console, without generating a separate JavaScript file.

Conclusion

Understanding how to run TypeScript code is essential for any developer working with this language. Whether you choose to compile TypeScript files using tsc or run them directly with ts-node, both methods provide flexibility based on your development needs. In the next post, we'll dive into the syntax of TypeScript to further enhance your coding skills.

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Syntax