I’ve been diving into TypeScript recently and am using Visual Studio Code for my projects. However, I keep hearing chatter about different TypeScript versions and how some cool features are only available in the latest ones. It’s got me wondering how to check what version I’m currently running and, more importantly, how to update it if it’s not the latest.
So, here’s my dilemma: I’ve been working on this project, and one of my buddies mentioned that I might be missing out on some nice type-checking features that could really streamline my work. I fired up Visual Studio Code and started searching for where I could find this information. But honestly, I got a bit lost. I figured it must be somewhere in the settings or maybe in the terminal, but I didn’t quite hit the mark.
Has anyone else dealt with this? How do I go about checking which version of TypeScript is being utilized by my Visual Studio Code? I’ve seen mentions of “workspace version” and “VS Code version,” which has thrown me off a bit. Do I need to know both, or is it just one that matters more?
And then there’s the kicker: once I find out what version I’m using, what’s the actual process to update it to the latest? I’ve heard that sometimes the update can be done seamlessly through the extensions panel, but other times, it seems like I need to mess around in the command line. It’s a bit daunting!
If anyone can share the step-by-step process, I’d really appreciate it. Like, do I have to run a specific command in the terminal, or is it just clicking a few things in the UI? And is there anything I need to watch out for to avoid breaking my project?
Thanks in advance for any help! I’m not super tech-savvy, but I’m eager to learn and make my coding experience smoother.
Checking and Updating TypeScript in Visual Studio Code
First things first, let’s figure out what version of TypeScript you have:
Step 1: Check the TypeScript Version
Ctrl + `
(the backtick key).npx tsc -v
Step 2: Understand ‘Workspace Version’ vs ‘VS Code Version’
What your buddy is talking about with “workspace version” refers to the TypeScript version installed in your project. This can be different from the TypeScript version that’s bundled with VS Code. So, focus on the workspace version for your current project.
Step 3: Updating TypeScript
If you find that your version is out of date and you want to update it, here’s how you can do that:
npm install typescript@latest --save-dev
Bonus: Updating via Extensions Panel (if you have TypeScript extension)
Things to Watch Out For
After updating, it’s always good practice to check your code. Sometimes, new features might cause some earlier functionalities to behave differently. Run your tests and ensure everything works as expected.
Learning new stuff is all part of the fun! Happy coding!
To check the TypeScript version you’re currently using in Visual Studio Code, you can follow a couple of straightforward steps. First, open the integrated terminal in VS Code by selecting Terminal from the top menu and then New Terminal. Once the terminal is open, simply type
tsc -v
and press Enter. This command will reveal the TypeScript version installed globally on your machine. Alternatively, you may want to check the workspace version by navigating to the Versions section in the TypeScript status bar, located at the bottom of the VS Code window. If it shows ‘Use Workspace Version’, that indicates you are using the TypeScript version from your project, which can differ from your global installation.To update TypeScript to the latest version, you can do this either via the command line or through the extensions panel. To use the command line, first make sure you are in your project directory, then run
npm install typescript@latest
to update it to the latest version available in your project’s dependencies. If you want to update the global version, you would usenpm install -g typescript@latest
. If you prefer using the UI, you can go to the Extensions panel (by clicking on the Extensions icon on the sidebar) and search for ‘TypeScript’. If an update is available, you should see an update button. However, be cautious: before updating, ensure that your existing code is backed up or that you’re using version control, as there might be breaking changes in new TypeScript releases that could affect your current project.