Difference Between Staticaly Typed and Dynamically Typed
Difference Between Staticaly Typed and Dynamically Typed
type checking in programming. Here's how they differ, particularly in the context
of TypeScript:
In statically typed languages, type checking is performed during compile time. This
means that errors related to data types are caught before the program is run.
Examples include Java, C#, and TypeScript.
Explicit Type Declarations:
Since type information is known at compile time, statically typed languages can
optimize the code more effectively, potentially leading to better performance at
runtime.
Refactoring:
Statically typed languages make refactoring safer and easier. The compiler can
check the changes and ensure that type consistency is maintained throughout the
codebase.
Tooling Support:
Strong tooling support, such as code completion, navigation, and refactoring tools,
benefits from knowing the types in advance.
Dynamically Typed Languages
Type Checking at Runtime:
Variables can be assigned without specifying their type, and the type can change at
runtime.
This provides more flexibility but can lead to runtime errors if the types are not
managed carefully.
Performance:
Dynamically typed languages offer more flexibility and can be easier to write for
simple tasks and rapid prototyping.
They allow for more dynamic constructs, such as adding properties to objects at
runtime.
Tooling Support:
Tooling might be less robust compared to statically typed languages because the
types are not known until runtime. However, modern advancements in language servers
and IDEs have improved this area significantly.
TypeScript: Bridging the Gap
TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that introduces static typing to the
language. Here’s how it fits into the picture:
TypeScript allows developers to opt into static typing by specifying types for
variables, function parameters, and return values.
This enables the benefits of static typing, such as early error detection and
improved tooling, while still being able to write some parts of the code in a
dynamically typed manner.
Type Inference:
TypeScript includes type inference, which means it can automatically infer the type
of a variable based on the assigned value. This reduces the need for explicit type
annotations while still providing type safety.
Compatibility with JavaScript: