JavaScript and TypeScript Resources
What Is TypeScript?
As a developer who works with the Mendix Platform, you may be familiar with implementing custom user actions using Java.
The Mendix Platform and Model SDKs, however, are implemented in an entirely different language, namely TypeScript. TypeScript is similar to JavaScript—in fact, TypeScript sources are “transpiled” into JavaScript before they’re run. The main difference that sets TypeScript apart from JavaScript is that it adds explicit typing. This is good news for developers with a Java background, who expect that the compiler will warn them if they by accident try to treat an Integer as a String. At the same time, you can still take advantage of the rich ecosystem of JavaScript libraries that already exists.
To help you find your way in this new and exciting TypeScript universe, we’ve collected a few resources that we ourselves have found useful in getting the hang of developing with TypeScript and JavaScript libraries.
If you have any additional useful resources, feel free to mention them in the comments field below.
Books
- TypeScript Deep Dive – available in a web version as well as e-book formats.
- Pro TypeScript by Steve Fenton
- JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford, O’Reilly
Websites
- Official TypeScript website – tutorial, handbook, and samples
- Definitive Guide to TypeScript – covers TypeScript 1.5 (slightly older than the current release, but still useful)
- Editing TypeScript with Visual Studio Code
- Debugging your app with Node Inspector
Other
- Node.js refcard – Node.js is the JavaScript engine Mendix uses to run our scripts