Type annotations (aka, types as comments): Strong types, weakly held

A new ECMAScript proposal aims to introduce type annotations as valid, yet ignored, JavaScript syntax, allowing developers to include types directly in their JavaScript code without affecting runtime behavior. Driven by figures from the TypeScript community, the proposal seeks to standardize where types are placed within JavaScript code, much like comments, without endorsing any specific type system or introducing runtime type checking. The proposal could make JavaScript more accommodating to static typing by allowing TypeScript-like syntax to exist in JavaScript files, thus enhancing developer experience by reducing verbosity associated with JSDoc comments. While the proposal has stirred debate among JavaScript developers, with some viewing it as unnecessary, it could potentially lower the barrier to entry for static typing in JavaScript and increase adoption. The proposal's future remains uncertain as it has yet to progress through the ECMAScript adoption stages, and may require compromises from existing type systems like TypeScript and Flow.