TypeScript-Go: Turbocharge Your Development with Microsoft's New Project

Want to combine the power of TypeScript with the efficiency of Go? Microsoft's TypeScript-Go project offers a promising path. While still under heavy development, this initiative aims to merge into the core TypeScript repository, bringing exciting possibilities for developers.

What is TypeScript-Go and Why Should You Care?

TypeScript-Go explores porting the TypeScript compiler to Go. This could potentially lead to:

• Performance Boost: Leverages Go's speed and efficiency for faster compilation times.
• New Platforms: Expands TypeScript's reach to platforms where Go excels.
• Unified Tooling: Streamlines development workflows by integrating TypeScript into Go ecosystems.

Getting Started with TypeScript-Go (Developer Preview)

Keep in mind that TypeScript-Go is a work in progress. There are no published packages yet, but eager developers can explore the project:

1. Clone the Repository: Use the following command, ensuring you include submodules:

   git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/microsoft/typescript-go.git
   

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2. Initialize Submodules (If Already Cloned):

   git submodule update --init --recursive
   

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3. Install Dependencies: Navigate to the project directory and run:

   npm ci
   

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Key Commands for Development

The project leverages hereby, similar to the main TypeScript repo, making common tasks easy:

• hereby build: Verifies the project builds successfully.
• hereby test: Executes all tests.
• hereby install-tools: Installs linters and other helpful tools.
• hereby lint: Runs the linters to check code quality.
• hereby format: Automatically formats the code.
• hereby generate: Generates Go code (e.g., diagnostics).

Don't worry; hereby is just a convenience. Regular Go tooling (go build, go test, etc.) works as expected.

Running and Testing 'tsgo'

After building, you can find the executable at built/local/tsgo. It aims to mimic the behavior of the standard tsc command.

• Basic Usage: built/local/tsgo (respects tsconfig and outputs performance stats).

• For closer tsc behavior: built/local/tsgo tsc [flags]

Prototype LSP Experience: Dive into Code Completion

Want to experience the language server protocol (LSP) prototype? Follow these steps:

1. Open the Project in VS Code: code . from the repository root.
2. Copy Launch Configuration: Copy .vscode/launch.template.json to .vscode/launch.json.
3. Start Debugging: Press F5 or use the "Debug: Start Debugging" command in VS Code.

A new VS Code instance will launch, using the Corsa LS backend. Verify "typescript-go" is selected in the Output pane.

Contributing to TypeScript-Go

Microsoft encourages contributions! Take time to check the Contributor License Agreements before submitting a pull request, and adhere to the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct.