What level of TypeScript expertise do I need for a typical business web application?
For most business applications, you need someone at intermediate level who can work with React or Angular, handle API integrations with proper typing, and set up build processes. Advanced expertise is needed for complex domain modeling or if you're building reusable libraries.
How can I tell if a developer really knows TypeScript versus just putting it on their resume?
Ask them to explain a specific type error from their code, have them walk through their approach to typing an API response, or request code samples showing advanced features like generics. Real TypeScript developers can discuss tradeoffs and design decisions, not just syntax.
Can TypeScript handle everything my JavaScript application currently does?
Yes, TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, so all existing JavaScript code works in TypeScript. However, you won't get the benefits until you properly type your code. TypeScript adds compile-time checking but doesn't change runtime behavior or add new JavaScript capabilities.
How well does TypeScript work with our existing tools like React, Node.js, or our database?
TypeScript integrates seamlessly with modern web frameworks and has excellent tooling support. React, Vue, Angular, Express, and most popular libraries either include TypeScript definitions or have community-maintained types available through DefinitelyTyped.
How long does it typically take to migrate an existing JavaScript project to TypeScript?
A small application might take 2-4 weeks, while a large enterprise codebase could take 3-6 months. The key is doing it incrementally - you can rename files to .ts and gradually add types rather than converting everything at once. Timeline depends on code complexity and team size.
What ongoing maintenance is needed after implementing TypeScript in our application?
TypeScript requires keeping up with type definitions for third-party libraries, updating TypeScript compiler versions periodically, and maintaining type safety as your application evolves. It's generally less maintenance than dealing with runtime errors in production JavaScript, but does require ongoing attention to type accuracy.