JavaScript programming language conforms to the ECMAScript specification. It is a high-level scripting language introduced by Netscape in 1995 to be run on the client side of the web browser. It can insert dynamic text into HTML. Browser’s language is another name for JavaScript. TypeScript and CoffeeScript, both are dynamic JavaScript languages. Both languages transpile into JavaScript where the former was developed in 2012, the latter came into existence in 2009. They are different from each other in various aspects. Let us learn about the differences in the below article.
TypeScript
TypeScript was designed for the development of large applications and transpile into JavaScript. It was developed by Microsoft Corporation in 2012. Developers can add type safety to their projects with TypeScript. It is built on JavaScript and is a strongly typed programming language. Companies that use TypeScript are Asana, Slack, Medium, DoorDash, and many more.
Features
- It has a strict and structural typing system.
- It provides the feature of Intellisense which gives active hints when code is added.
- It is easy to spot bugs and eliminate them.
Advantages
- It is best when collaborating within and between teams.
- Maintaining code is easy.
- It is a statical typed language.
Disadvantages
- It has a complicated typing system.
- It is not worth using TypeScript on small projects.
- The feature of code readability does not work too well in TypeScript.
CoffeeScript
CoffeeScript is a programming language that compiles JavaScript. It was designed by Jeremy Ashkenas in 2009. It is dynamic in nature is quite simple and provides easy-to-learn syntax. Also, it is a lightweight programming language based on Ruby and Python. Companies that use CoffeeScript are Accenture, Trello, ROBLOX, Glovo, and many more.
Features
- It is dynamic in nature.
- It is a highly reliable programming language.
- Only a few lines of code are needed in CoffeeScript.
Advantages
- There is no usage of the var keyword to create a variable.
- The programs written in CoffeeScript are easy to maintain.
- Its syntax is easy to learn. Thus, making CoffeeScript more understandable for the user.
Disadvantages
- It is sensitive to whitespaces.
- There is a limited number of libraries present.
- It supports only MongoDB and RethinkDB.
Difference between TypeScript and CoffeeScript
|
TypeScript |
CoffeeScript |
|
|---|---|---|
| Developed | TypeScript was developed by Microsoft in 2012. | CoffeeScript was developed by Jeremy Ashkenas in 2009. |
| Support for Visual Studio | It provides good support to Visual Studio. | It does not provide that much support that Visual Studio needs when compared with TypeScript. |
| License | It has Apache License. | It has MIT License. |
| Definition | TypeScript is termed a high-level programming language. | CoffeeScript is termed a low-level programming language. |
| Basic Knowledge of | One can easily learn TypeScript and have a basic knowledge of JavaScript. | One can easily learn CoffeeScript and know about Ruby or Python language. |
| Libraries | There are many libraries present in TypeScript. | There is a limited number of libraries present in CoffeeScript. |
| Multi-lingual support | It has multi-lingual support. | It does not have multi-lingual support. |
| Databases | MongoDB, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and SQLite databases are the ones supported in TypeScript. | CoffeeScript supports only MongoDB and RethinkDB. |
| Performance | Its performance is good. | Its performance is not as good as the performance of TypeScript. |
| Compatibility | TypeScript is compatible with the versions of JavaScript. | CoffeeScript is not compatible with the versions of JavaScript. |
| Nested Classes | Nested functions are deemed to be complex for user as Indentations are not present in TypeScript. | Nested functions are easy for users in CoffeeScript as Indentations are present in it. |
| Angular Code | It works well with Angular code. | It does not support Angular Code. |
| Partial Classes | TypeScript does not support Partial Classes. | CoffeeScript supports Partial Classes. |
| Real-Time Server | TypeScript has a feature called Real Time Server. | CoffeeScript does not contain real-time server features. |
| Code Readability | The feature of code readability does not work too well in TypeScript. | The feature of code readability works great in CoffeeScript. |
| Documentation | It does not have well-maintained documentation. | It has well-maintained documentation. |
| Extension | It has .ts and .tsx Extension. | It has .coffee Extension. |
Conclusion
TypeScript is a statically typed language which gives it a bonus to use rather than CoffeeScript. Also, as TypeScript is introduced after CoffeeScript, it has some advanced features like real-time servers, Angular Codes, and also multi-lingual support. On the other hand, CoffeeScript supports Partial Classes and has well-maintained documentation. One could opt for TypeScript as it is also compatible with all versions of JavaScript. In the end, both languages have their own pros and cons. Thus, choosing one language over the other totally depends on the requirements and needs of the application.
