Comparisons

JavaScript is not that easy to learn (in my opinion). Of course, once the light switches on, it's a simple key/value pair, function passing oriented language. It takes about 1 year to get going full steam.

Indeed, just like C# or Java; which both take about a year to feel comfortable, the pattern of 1 year to fluency emerges.

Typescript is no different, it too takes about 1 year to become fluent.

Foreign Language Interpreters

Did you know that people in the U.S. Army that are to become language interpreters are sent to language school for 1 full year? When they arrive, they are told that they will not hear English spoken in their class again! They go to school 8 hours a day for a full year. Talking about... "total immersion".

One Year to Fluency

If we don't know JavaScript; then it may be easier to learn TypeScript. For example, one finger typers are at a disadvantage when taking a Typing class. Old habits are hard to break; but starting without any pre-knowledge forces us to learn bit by bit in a prescribed manner. One year, according to the Army, is the right amount of time to become Fluent.

What is Fluent?

If we study a foreign language, there are distinct phases we pass through.

• We must hear it spoken and emulate what we've heard, being informed of the meaning in our native language.
• We must learn to read it, making a dictionary in that language an invaluable tool.
• We must learn to write it. (Except when we only read it)
• We must learn to speak it. (To communicate with others)

The speaking part is the most difficult. It requires us to synthesize speech, at will, and without hesitation. Each sentence is a created pattern of words, inflection and sense. We must make sense to the listener.

Shortcuts?

If we already know Java, C# or JavaScript, then our 1 year learning time is cut in half.

Typescript builds upon our knowledge of those languages. It does it in a different way e.g. Type declarations after the variable declaration (instead of before as in C# and Java). But it's not too difficult to understand the differences.

// Type declaration, after the variable name.
varName:string;
varName2:number;
varName3:Person;
varName4:Address;

Only 6 short months of daily use will make us mostly fluent in Typescript if we already know C#, Java or Javascript.

Just be Persistent

Adding Typescript to our list of languages only helps our long term career. We feel Microsoft (who owns GitHub), will continue to offer enhancements for the foreseeable future. Google, who adopted Typescript as an "official internal language"; based Angular on it. They will continue supporting it (like Microsoft) for the foreseeable future. These two giants in the industry lend massive amounts of credibility to Typescript.

Be persistent, practice it daily, and use it daily. Within a year we will feel totally comfortable with Typescript.

Naysayers

It seems that about 50% of JavaScript people absolutely hate Typescript. This is understandable, in that; many OOP folks felt the same way about JavaScript in the early days.

It's not uncommon to dislike something new in our "comfortable well known space". For example, 40 years ago when third generation languages arrived, there was a cacophony of mixed reactions. Naysayers represent normal human behavior to something new and possibly disruptive.

Keep Focus

Don't allow opinion to sway your goals of picking up a new skill and adding value to your career. Typescript is a great language, which was created and supported by one of the kings of programming languages... Microsoft.

Disclaimer

I do not work for or totally trust Microsoft. At one time I was a dye-in-the-wool advocate for their products, but not any longer due to their "throw-you-under-the-bus" attitude. Anyone recall WPF, UWA, Silverlight, Windows 8, Windows Phone or the goofy IE browsers that stunk up the world? Don't get me started please.

Microsoft Research for Programming Languages

JWP 2020