5 ms·

Tests are the only thing that give me confidence about any code I write, Javascript or otherwise.

jsight 7y ago
And compilers are effectively a rudimentary form of test. They are not sufficient, nor necessary but they do validate some basic assumptions about the code.
- mixedCase 7y ago
  They also remove redundant testing (you only need to prove something fulfills certain properties once as long as you have a type for it); and the more advanced the type system the fewer tests needed.
  - valand 7y ago
    friendly tips: runtime type checks are available https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/pelotom/runtypes https://github.com/pelotom/runtypes
    - paulcowan1970 7y ago
      I mention io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts in the post
      - valand 7y ago
        Thanks for the article It sparked useful discussion around the world
- valand 7y ago
  I would upvote you twice if I can for that compiler is a test thing
- thrower123 7y ago
  If for no other reason, I would like Typescript for flagging when you typo some property - e.g. foo.FooID vs foo.FooId. I've lost a stupid amount of time in regular JS because of things like this that make me want to pick up the computer and throw it out the window.
  - valand 7y ago
    Decent editor does that now. I'm using atom on daily basis and it's helping me with that. VScode and intellij does the same
    - dragonwriter 7y ago
      Doesn't the functionality for that in most editors leverage typescript typings, so that it's not really independent of typescript?
      - valand 7y ago
        Ah I misread the parent comment. I thought it was more like "I wish typescript has this anti-typo functionality" You're right that it's not independent from TS.
  - amatecha 7y ago
    you can add JSDoc annotations and use a modern IDE like vscode or webstorm, etc.
Matthias247 7y ago
Tests only help if they are written, and if they cover the code in question. Both of things are unfortunately not always given. If things are not covered by tests type systems are still better than nothing.
mirekrusin 7y ago
It's not just about confidence. It's also about the speed you can use/refactor the code. Suggestions, type information on hover and instant feedback if you forgot, used wrong order or type, misspelled or simply don't remember exactly signatures or auto generated documentation means a lot when writing code. You can move much faster when working on typed code. Nobody ever claimed that types are replacement for tests. It just means that your tests don't require obvious clutter anymore, you can focus on more complex/important test cases to cover.

And compilers are effectively a rudimentary form of test. They are not sufficient, nor necessary but they do validate some basic assumptions about the code.

mixedCase 7y ago
They also remove redundant testing (you only need to prove something fulfills certain properties once as long as you have a type for it); and the more advanced the type system the fewer tests needed.
- valand 7y ago
  friendly tips: runtime type checks are available https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/pelotom/runtypes https://github.com/pelotom/runtypes
  - paulcowan1970 7y ago
    I mention io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts https://github.com/gcanti/io-ts in the post
    - valand 7y ago
      Thanks for the article It sparked useful discussion around the world
valand 7y ago
I would upvote you twice if I can for that compiler is a test thing
thrower123 7y ago
If for no other reason, I would like Typescript for flagging when you typo some property - e.g. foo.FooID vs foo.FooId. I've lost a stupid amount of time in regular JS because of things like this that make me want to pick up the computer and throw it out the window.
- valand 7y ago
  Decent editor does that now. I'm using atom on daily basis and it's helping me with that. VScode and intellij does the same
  - dragonwriter 7y ago
    Doesn't the functionality for that in most editors leverage typescript typings, so that it's not really independent of typescript?
    - valand 7y ago
      Ah I misread the parent comment. I thought it was more like "I wish typescript has this anti-typo functionality" You're right that it's not independent from TS.
- amatecha 7y ago
  you can add JSDoc annotations and use a modern IDE like vscode or webstorm, etc.

Matthias247 7y ago

Tests only help if they are written, and if they cover the code in question. Both of things are unfortunately not always given. If things are not covered by tests type systems are still better than nothing.

mirekrusin 7y ago

It's not just about confidence. It's also about the speed you can use/refactor the code. Suggestions, type information on hover and instant feedback if you forgot, used wrong order or type, misspelled or simply don't remember exactly signatures or auto generated documentation means a lot when writing code. You can move much faster when working on typed code. Nobody ever claimed that types are replacement for tests. It just means that your tests don't require obvious clutter anymore, you can focus on more complex/important test cases to cover.