TypeScript: A Surprisingly Viable Option for Compilers

2023/08/20

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The article explores the use of TypeScript as a language for building compilers. Traditionally, languages like OCaml and C++ have been popular choices for this task. However, the author suggests that TypeScript may be a viable alternative. They highlight the benefits of using TypeScript, such as its out-of-the-box experience provided by Deno, which includes linting, formatting, and a task runner. TypeScript's flexible and lightweight type system is also praised. The article goes on to provide an example of building a tiny typechecker in TypeScript, showcasing the language's high-level nature and simplicity. While TypeScript may not be the first language that comes to mind for building compilers, the author argues that its features make it surprisingly suitable for the task. This insight could be valuable for developers looking to explore different options for compiler development.