Understanding TypeScript’s benefits and pitfalls

JavaScript's dynamic typing offers flexibility but also introduces risks, particularly when function arguments are mismatched, which TypeScript addresses by adding static typing to catch errors during the build process. TypeScript provides excellent code completion, incremental adoption, improved third-party library integration, and community-provided types, but it also introduces complexity, can result in difficult-to-decipher error messages, and may impact build performance. While TypeScript enhances code reliability by identifying type errors beforehand, it does not guarantee runtime safety as type checks are not performed at runtime, and developers must use caution when using operators like the non-null assertion. Balancing TypeScript's advantages and disadvantages varies by team, and effective use requires patience and adherence to the compiler's feedback to fully benefit from its capabilities.