TypeScript vs Flow

Differences Between TypeScript vs Flow

TypeScript is an open-source programming language developed by Microsoft in continuation with 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 its 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

• On the other hand, flow aims to deduce those segments or pieces of code that 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 its out of 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. On the other hand, flow 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(Infographics)

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:

1. 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 adjustments to your code are needed, such as Typecasting.
2. 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. You can write type annotations in comments rather than using them in the executable code itself to use this feature.
3. Typescript provides you with 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	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
Features	Compile-time type checking Type annotations Type erasure Type inference Enumerated type Interfaces Namespaces Generic Awaits Tuples	Precision Reliability Speed High throughput Path sensitivity Low latency Type inference Real-time feedback Easy to integrate Easily understandable Javascript patterns
Getting started	Initialize the project Add typescript as a dependency Configure typescript using flow# npx tsc –init A tsconfig.json file should be created Start typescript Update typescript config Write a typescript file Checking the code Compile your code	Install a compiler such as a babel Initialize the project, add Babel dependencies Add flow preset Configure Babel and add a script in package.json Install and configure Flow flow config should be created Start flow Write a flow file Checking the code Compiling the code
Advantages	Compatibility with Javascript Type annotations Declaration files Classes Modules and namespaces Generics	Type annotations Typecasting Duck typing Reduced verbosity Terser code Easy readability Easier modification
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 Typescripts vs Flow are amazing products in their own domain. Both Typescripts 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 it. TypeScript vs flow this post. Stay tuned to our blog for more posts like these.

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