

Integrating TypeScript into Node.js with Marco Ippolito
6 snips Aug 8, 2024
Marco Ippolito, a Node.js collaborator and TSC member, dives into the integration of TypeScript into Node.js. He shares exciting advancements like the experimental flag allowing direct execution of TypeScript files. The discussion touches on the complexities of merging TypeScript with Node.js, including type stripping and compatibility issues. Ippolito also highlights the advantages of using SWC as a compiler and the unique approach Node.js is taking, promising future enhancements that aim to elevate user experience.
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Node Adds Native TypeScript Support
- Node.js is adding an experimental flag to run TypeScript out of the box without external loader dependencies.
- This marks a major project milestone improving developer experience by eliminating setup complexity.
Avoid Unsupported TS Features Initially
- Avoid using TypeScript features requiring runtime transformations, like enums, as they aren't supported initially.
- Focus on TypeScript's inline types for now to ensure compatibility with Node's experimental support.
SWC Wasm Fits Node's Needs
- Node.js chose SWC transpiler for TypeScript due to its ease of integration and support for many architectures.
- Using SWC wasm package avoids heavy dependencies and fits Node's diverse deployment environments.