1️⃣ 🚀 Getting Started with TypeScript
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🛠️ TypeScript — Environment Setup (2025 Guide)

🧲 Introduction – Prepare Your System for TypeScript Development

Before writing robust TypeScript applications, you need to set up a proper development environment. This setup ensures smooth compilation, error checking, and compatibility with modern development tools.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • How to install Node.js and TypeScript
  • How to configure your development environment
  • How to use tsconfig.json and VSCode for optimal TS development

💻 Step 1: Install Node.js and npm

TypeScript requires Node.js to run its compiler (tsc) and manage packages with npm.

  1. Download from: https://nodejs.org
  2. Install the LTS version.
  3. Verify installation:
node -v
npm -v

✅ You should see version numbers as output.


📦 Step 2: Install TypeScript Globally

Use npm to install the TypeScript compiler globally:

npm install -g typescript

Check the installed version:

tsc -v

🗂️ Step 3: Create a Project Directory

Organize your TypeScript files in a dedicated folder:

mkdir my-typescript-app
cd my-typescript-app

🧾 Step 4: Initialize TypeScript Configuration

Run the following command to generate a tsconfig.json file:

tsc --init

This file lets you configure how TypeScript compiles your code.

📁 Example snippet from tsconfig.json:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "target": "ES6",
    "module": "CommonJS",
    "outDir": "./dist",
    "rootDir": "./src",
    "strict": true
  }
}

Then create the directory structure:

mkdir src

📝 Step 5: Create Your First TypeScript File

Inside the src folder, create a file named index.ts:

let message: string = "Welcome to TypeScript!";
console.log(message);

⚙️ Step 6: Compile and Run the Project

To compile:

tsc

To run the generated JavaScript file:

node dist/index.js

💡 Optional: Use VSCode for Enhanced Development

Download VSCode: https://code.visualstudio.com

Recommended extensions:

  • ESLint
  • Prettier
  • TypeScript Hero
  • Path Intellisense

✅ These enhance autocompletion, linting, navigation, and formatting.


📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Setting up a TypeScript environment is a one-time process that gives you access to static typing, better tooling, and structured development. Once configured, you can create, compile, and debug TypeScript projects with confidence.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

  • TypeScript runs on Node.js and uses npm for package management.
  • tsc --init creates a customizable config file (tsconfig.json).
  • Use VSCode for a superior TypeScript coding experience.
  • Compiled files go into the dist folder and are executed with Node.js.

⚙️ Real-World Relevance:
A proper setup improves team collaboration, debugging efficiency, and application scalability across all modern JS frameworks.


❓ FAQs – TypeScript Environment Setup

❓ Is TypeScript installed with Node.js by default?
✅ No. You must install TypeScript separately using npm install -g typescript.

❓ Do I need a tsconfig.json?
✅ Yes. It defines how TypeScript should compile and organize your code.

❓ Can I run TypeScript in the browser?
✅ No. TypeScript must be compiled to JavaScript before browser execution.

❓ Is VSCode necessary for TypeScript development?
✅ Not required, but strongly recommended due to its powerful TS tooling support.


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