6 ms·

This is my exact experience. TypeScript seemed to hit a complexity sweet spot about 5 years ago, then they just kept adding more obscure stuff to the type syste

by rlp 2y ago

This is my exact experience. TypeScript seemed to hit a complexity sweet spot about 5 years ago, then they just kept adding more obscure stuff to the type system. I find that understanding TypeScript compiler errors can be almost as difficult as understanding C++ template errors at times.

phplovesong 2y ago
This. Haxe is a more sane TS alternative in 2024.
- jadbox 2y ago
  It's Haxe still been actively developed? I loved it back in the day. The blog hasn't had an update in years.
  - phplovesong 2y ago
    It is. And only getting better SLOWLY by each iteration. The thing i love about Haxe that once you use it, your installed version is not legacy in a month (unlike npm/typescipt ecosystem). Haxe is fully working, and does not need a lot of "new" features. More news about Haxe can be found here: https://haxe.io/ https://haxe.io/ (the old blog is not updated AFAIK)
- earslap 2y ago
  Haxe is amazing, has macros etc. A force multiplier if you are a solo developer for sure. But damn, you feel kinda alone if you are using it. Not everything is an npm install away which negates your velocity gains from using a saner language.
  - phplovesong 2y ago
    I RARELY/NEVER have to build an app so fast that i just fart out whatever broken code as fast as my fingers can type. IF i get a project like this with a deadline of "yesterday" i politely just refuse. I will be wasting my personal time, and the clients time. And the result will be a broken mess that will eventually take more time to fix, than it would have if i in fact did it "correct" from the get go. That said Haxe has externs, enabling you to target JS/PHP and use the rich ecosystem both langauges have. The best part of externs is that IF i only use 4 things from given package, i statically KNOW i only use these 4 things, and can refactor more easily, or even build the thing i need myself.
    - earslap 2y ago
      When I'm talking about velocity, I'm not talking about coding fast, but being able to write DRY, flexible yet easily maintainable code that can weather future requirements / refactorings easily. Personally, I'm also talking in the context of my own projects so nobody is breathing down my neck or pressuring me with time. I just want to write good code that is a joy to maintain for years to come.
- pier25 2y ago
  Ironically Haxe was inspired by ActionScript 3 which was the basis for the EcmaScript 4 proposal which was abandoned back in 2008 or so.
epolanski 2y ago
Hint, 9 times out of 10 you only need to read the last part of the error. Also, there are many ways to make types opaque (not show their entire verbose structure).
- trevor-e 2y ago
  Which begs the question of why they don't rearrange that part to the first in the error message. Like you said, 9/10 times I scroll down without thinking which is silly.
  - epolanski 2y ago
    I have no clue, but I guess there were (and are), good discussions around it.

by rlp 2y ago

phplovesong 2y ago

This. Haxe is a more sane TS alternative in 2024.

jadbox 2y ago
It's Haxe still been actively developed? I loved it back in the day. The blog hasn't had an update in years.
- phplovesong 2y ago
  It is. And only getting better SLOWLY by each iteration. The thing i love about Haxe that once you use it, your installed version is not legacy in a month (unlike npm/typescipt ecosystem). Haxe is fully working, and does not need a lot of "new" features. More news about Haxe can be found here: https://haxe.io/ https://haxe.io/ (the old blog is not updated AFAIK)
earslap 2y ago
Haxe is amazing, has macros etc. A force multiplier if you are a solo developer for sure. But damn, you feel kinda alone if you are using it. Not everything is an npm install away which negates your velocity gains from using a saner language.
- phplovesong 2y ago
  I RARELY/NEVER have to build an app so fast that i just fart out whatever broken code as fast as my fingers can type. IF i get a project like this with a deadline of "yesterday" i politely just refuse. I will be wasting my personal time, and the clients time. And the result will be a broken mess that will eventually take more time to fix, than it would have if i in fact did it "correct" from the get go. That said Haxe has externs, enabling you to target JS/PHP and use the rich ecosystem both langauges have. The best part of externs is that IF i only use 4 things from given package, i statically KNOW i only use these 4 things, and can refactor more easily, or even build the thing i need myself.
  - earslap 2y ago
    When I'm talking about velocity, I'm not talking about coding fast, but being able to write DRY, flexible yet easily maintainable code that can weather future requirements / refactorings easily. Personally, I'm also talking in the context of my own projects so nobody is breathing down my neck or pressuring me with time. I just want to write good code that is a joy to maintain for years to come.
pier25 2y ago
Ironically Haxe was inspired by ActionScript 3 which was the basis for the EcmaScript 4 proposal which was abandoned back in 2008 or so.

epolanski 2y ago

Hint, 9 times out of 10 you only need to read the last part of the error. Also, there are many ways to make types opaque (not show their entire verbose structure).

trevor-e 2y ago
Which begs the question of why they don't rearrange that part to the first in the error message. Like you said, 9/10 times I scroll down without thinking which is silly.
- epolanski 2y ago
  I have no clue, but I guess there were (and are), good discussions around it.