Differences Between TypeScript vs Flow
TypeScript is an open-source programming language developed by Microsoft in continuation with the Javascript as an extension, better known as the language for angularJS 2. It integrates many modern programming paradigms and features to make use of javascript much simpler and efficient. Flow, on the other hand, is not a programming language but Javascript’s static type checker i.e. it is a productivity tool that can be downloaded and installed locally to run on your code, analyze it to generate some meaningful insights out from it. It has a unique ability to catch Type Errors.
TypeScript
Typescript includes a class, module, and interface into the language. All this in their entirety is used to make large-scale development easier. Typescript supports the optional static typing feature which offers many advantages such as it provides the compiler better code readability and understanding and the ones like better error detentions. All of this improves the documentation process using typescript significantly and gives a clear and concise view.
Flow
- Flow, on the other hand, aims to deduce those segments or pieces of code which can behave erratically and in an unexpected manner. It also advises the programmer as to how a problem should be dealt with.
- Flow provides the backbone needed for many IDE features such as error Autocomplete, highlighting and automated refactoring. You can also configure regular text editors such as visual studio code and atom which support Javascript.
- Flow is known to be a simpler language than TypeScript due to it’s out of the box utility. A developer would have to learn TypeScript syntax e.g. Type Annotation and how to modify the code.
- They have to be very much sure about the type they are specifying and using. Flow, on the other hand, possesses the capability of auto-assignment of type information from existing code pieces by using the “flow analysis” technique which picks up type errors on its own.
Head to Head Comparison Between TypeScript and Flow
Below is the top 8 comparison between TypeScript vs Flow:
Key Differences Between TypeScript vs Flow
Let us discuss some of the major differences between TypeScript vs Flow:
- Typescript has better compatibility with many frameworks, libraries, and compilers as compared with Flow in many cases such as those like angularJs whereas if you are working on react.js, using flow should be the obvious choice. It is not that typescript is not supported by reacting, it’s just that due to the native unavailability, some additional tweaks and adjustment to your code are needed such as Typecasting.
- Flow is any day a better choice to go when you have to work with type checking static kind functionalities without even writing the non-standard Javascript code i.e. the code which asks for compilation back into Javascript. To use this feature, you can write type annotations in comments rather than using them in the executable code itself.
- Typescript provides you some additional language services such as code completion features, navigation and refactoring features whereas flow aims to build a deeper level of understanding of your code and is responsible for doing an interprocedural analysis.
TypeScript and Flow Comparison Table
Below are the lists of points that describe the comparisons between TypeScript vs flow.
| Basis of comparison between Typescript vs Flow | TypeScript | Flow |
| Inception | Open Source and Free programming language developed at Microsoft | Not a programming language but is a flow-based typing tool |
| Relation with Javascript | Typescript is Javascript’s strict syntactical superset | It is a Javascript’s static type checker |
| Which is to be used when | If you are working on Angular 2+ this becomes a better choice as it is the prevalent language in the angular community | If you are working on React, Flow becomes a better choice as it easily seems to integrate with babel and the already present infrastructure |
| Services | Along with the provision of static typing, it provides you with great language services and appropriate tooling which includes those like code refactoring, navigation, and auto-completion. | Along with the provision of static typing, flow provides to you a wide range of interprocedural analysis and develops an in-depth understanding of your code |
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| Type | You have to be sure about the type that you specify | Your major focus lies on what to do rather than worrying about types |
Conclusion
Both Typescript vs Flow is amazing products in their own domain. Both Typescript vs Flow is helpful in making you write the correct code. There is no right and wrong in choosing the tool, so choose what your business demands and your project needs. I hope you must have liked TypeScript vs flow this post. Stay tuned to our blog for more posts like these.
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