How to Install TypeScript on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

Setting up and using TypeScript offers developers robust features and modern JavaScript capabilities.

Why Choose TypeScript?

• Static Typing: Catch errors early with TypeScript’s static type-checking.
• Modern JavaScript: Enjoy ES6+ features and compatibility.
• Large Ecosystem: Access a vast collection of libraries and frameworks.
• Enhanced Code Quality: Leverage TypeScript’s type definitions for better code quality and maintainability.
• Tooling Support: Benefit from powerful IDE support and seamless integration.

With the introduction out of the way, let’s explore how to install TypeScript on Ubuntu using terminal commands.

Install Node.js for TypeScript Development

Step 1: Ensuring Your Ubuntu System is Up-to-Date

Before starting the installation process, updating your system’s existing packages is paramount. It helps prevent potential software conflicts by ensuring that you are running the most recent versions of all installed software.

To update your system, execute the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Installing Node.js via APT Command

With everything set, it’s time to install Node.js. The following command installs Node.js:

sudo apt install nodejs

Step 5: Verifying the Node.js Installation

After the installation process is completed, it is important to verify the version of Node.js installed. This verification step ensures that the installation was successful and that Node.js is ready for use in our TypeScript environment.

To check your Node.js version, use the following command:

node --version

This command will output the installed version of Node.js, confirming a successful installation. If everything has proceeded correctly, you’re ready to set up your TypeScript development environment.

Finalize TypeScript Installation Project

Building on the Node.js setup from the previous section, we’ll now install TypeScript on your Ubuntu system. TypeScript, a statically typed superset of JavaScript, also requires Node.js for its server-side execution. The installation process involves npm, the default package manager for Node.js.

Step 1: Ensuring NPM is Up-to-Date

Before commencing the TypeScript installation, it’s crucial to confirm that npm (Node Package Manager) is current. npm is the backbone for managing Node.js packages, and keeping it updated guarantees access to the latest features and security patches, contributing to a secure and efficient development environment.

To update npm to its latest version, execute the following command:

sudo npm install npm@latest -g

In this command, npm install npm@latest fetches the most recent version of npm, and -g installs it globally, making it available across the entire system.

Step 2: Instal TypeScript Compiler

Next, we’ll install TypeScript on your system. TypeScript has a robust compiler (tsc) converts TypeScript code into plain JavaScript. This compiler makes TypeScript a viable option for development, as browsers cannot execute TypeScript directly.

To install the TypeScript compiler, run the following command:

sudo npm install -g typescript

In this command, npm install -g typescript fetches the TypeScript package and installs it globally, making it accessible across the whole system.

Step 3: Verifying the TypeScript Installation

Once the installation is complete, validating that the TypeScript compiler was installed successfully is crucial. This verification step helps ensure everything is set up correctly and the TypeScript compiler is ready for use, setting the stage for a seamless TypeScript development experience.

To check the installed version of the TypeScript compiler, execute:

tsc --version

This command will output the installed version of the TypeScript compiler, confirming a successful installation. If everything has proceeded as expected, you’re now ready to start developing with TypeScript on your Ubuntu system.

Create a TypeScript Test Project

Now that we’ve successfully installed TypeScript and its compiler on your system, it’s time to set up a test project. This step helps verify that TypeScript is functioning correctly and provides a sandbox for you to familiarize yourself with Its syntax and operation. The process will involve creating a new directory, initializing a new TypeScript project, and writing a simple TypeScript file.

Step 1: Creating a New Project Directory

The first step in setting up a TypeScript test project is to create a new directory. This directory will house all the files related to our test project. Organizing your projects into separate directories is a good practice as it helps maintain a clean and organized workspace.

Run the following command to create a new directory named ts-test-project:

mkdir ts-test-project

This command creates a new directory named ts-test-project. Feel free to replace ts-test-project with any name you prefer.

Next, navigate to the newly created directory by using the cd command:

cd ts-test-project

Step 2: Initializing a New TypeScript Project

With the directory in place, we can now initialize a new TypeScript project. Initializing a project creates a tsconfig.json file, which is a configuration file for TypeScript. This specifies the root files and compiler options required to compile the project.

To initialize a new TypeScript project, run the following command:

tsc --init

After running this command, you should see a tsconfig.json file in your project directory. This file will have sensible defaults provided by TypeScript, which you can modify later according to your project’s needs.

Step 3: Creating a Simple TypeScript File

For our test project, let’s create a simple TypeScript file. In this file, we’ll write a basic “Hello, World!” program. This will allow us to test the TypeScript compiler and confirm that everything is working as expected.

Create a new file named hello.ts using a text editor. In this example, we’ll use nano:

nano hello.ts

In the hello.ts file, write the following TypeScript code:

let message: string = "Hello, World!";
console.log(message);

Save and close the file. This simple program declares a string variable named message, assigns the string “Hello, World!” to it, and then logs this message to the console.

Step 4: Compiling and Running the TypeScript File

Now, it’s time to compile and run our TypeScript file. Remember, Node.js or browsers do not natively understand TypeScript, so we need to compile it down to JavaScript before we can run it.

To compile the TypeScript file, use the TypeScript compiler (tsc):

tsc hello.ts

This command will compile the hello.ts file into a JavaScript file named hello.js.

Finally, to run the compiled JavaScript file, use Node.js:

node hello.js

Upon running this command, you should see “Hello, World!” printed to your console. If you see this output, congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a TypeScript test project on your system.

Final Thoughts on TypeScript Installation on Ubuntu

In summary, this guide covered the installation of TypeScript on Ubuntu. We started with installing Node.js, a necessary prerequisite, and updating npm to its latest version. With these steps, you have a robust setup for developing with TypeScript. Remember to keep your tools updated for the best performance and security. Happy coding!