TypeScript’s Rise: Why It Is Overtaking Python & JavaScript (Deep Dive with Code Examples)
In 2025, something historic happened in the software development world. For the first time ever, TypeScript overtook both Python and JavaScript as the most-used programming language on GitHub, according to the GitHub Octoverse 2025 report. This shift — the largest language movement in more than a decade — reflects how developers are reshaping toolchains and workflows around typed languages and AI assistance.
If you’re a developer, student, or aspiring engineer wondering why TypeScript is rising so fast, this post breaks it down with data, real code examples, ecosystem insights, and practical advice.
We’ll cover:
-
What GitHub Octoverse data actually shows
-
Why TypeScript is outperforming Python and JavaScript
-
How TypeScript benefits large codebases
-
Example code comparing TypeScript and JavaScript
-
Career implications
-
Best practices for learning TypeScript in 2026
Let’s dive in.
🚀 The Historic GitHub Octoverse Shift
In August 2025, GitHub reported that TypeScript became the most-used programming language on its platform, surpassing both Python and JavaScript in terms of active contributors.
Key Data from GitHub Octoverse 2025
| Language | Growth (YoY) | Approx Contributors | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| TypeScript | +66% (+1M) | ~2.63M | #1 on GitHub |
| Python | +48% (+850k) | ~2.59M | #2 |
| JavaScript | +25% (+427k) | ~2.15M | #3 |
| Java | +20% | ~1.8M | Steady |
This wasn’t a small bump — TypeScript’s growth was the largest increase among all major languages tracked, marking a structural shift in how developers build modern software.
📈 Why TypeScript Is Rising
So why has TypeScript seen such explosive adoption? A few major trends explain this shift:
1. TypeScript Is Default for Modern Frameworks
Most popular frontend and full-stack frameworks now scaffold in TypeScript by default:
-
Next.js 15
-
Astro
-
SvelteKit
-
Qwik
-
Remix
-
Angular 18
-
SolidStart
Each one promotes TypeScript as the standard.
This means developers starting new projects often begin in TypeScript without even considering pure JavaScript.
2. Typing Improves Developer Experience (DX)
TypeScript adds static type checking to JavaScript, helping catch errors before runtime. In large codebases or team environments, this dramatically reduces bugs and improves IntelliSense suggestions in editors like VS Code.
Static typing:
-
Prevents many runtime errors
-
Improves autocomplete and tooling
-
Helps teams enforce contracts
As AI coding tools become widespread, typed languages provide better feedback loops for code generation and validation.
3. AI + TypeScript = Better Collaboration
In the AI-assisted development era, static types act as guardrails.
AI models that generate code can be more effective when they understand type contracts. Typed systems reduce ambiguous code suggestions and help catch potential errors before execution.
This is one reason companies adopting AI tools like GitHub Copilot see better results with TypeScript than plain JavaScript.
4. Full-Stack Adoption
TypeScript isn’t limited to frontend:
-
Backend with Node + Express
-
Serverless (AWS Lambda, Vercel, Netlify)
-
Deno runtimes
-
API schema integrations
Since TypeScript compiles to JavaScript, it runs everywhere JS runs — giving it unmatched flexibility.
🧠 TypeScript vs JavaScript — What’s the Lingo?
TypeScript is often called a superset of JavaScript, meaning:
-
All JavaScript is valid TypeScript
-
TypeScript adds types and compile-time checks
-
Your JS knowledge transfers directly
JavaScript Example
function greet(name) {
return `Hello ${name}`;
}
console.log(greet("Dev"));
TypeScript Equivalent with Types
function greet(name: string): string {
return `Hello ${name}`;
}
console.log(greet("Dev"));
The extra : string tells the compiler to validate the expected input and output types.
This doesn’t change runtime behavior — it prevents many bugs before code is shipped.
🧪 TypeScript vs Python — Why Python Still Matters
Python remains dominant in areas like:
-
AI and machine learning
-
Data science and analytics
-
Scientific computing
GitHub’s Octoverse reports that Python still leads in AI-tagged repositories, making it invaluable for data workflows and experimentation.
But for production applications, web services, and large scalable codebases, TypeScript’s strong typing and ecosystem advantages are pulling developers in.
⚙️ TypeScript Adoption in Real Projects
Frontend Example: React Component
JavaScript Version
function Button({ label }) {
return <button>{label}</button>;
}
This works, but lacks guarantees about what label is.
TypeScript Version
interface ButtonProps {
label: string;
}
function Button({ label }: ButtonProps) {
return <button>{label}</button>;
}
Here, the ButtonProps interface tells the compiler what shape props should have.
This helps teams catch mistakes before runtime — especially in large component libraries.
🏗️ The Hybrid Stack: Python + TypeScript
Today’s real world often uses both:
-
Python for AI/ML data processing
-
TypeScript for app frontends and APIs
This hybrid approach lets teams combine the strengths of both ecosystems:
-
Python’s data tooling and libraries
-
TypeScript’s reliability and maintainability
For how to build efficient workflows like this, check our guide on How to Optimize Your Coding Workflow for Maximum Efficiency.
💼 Career Impact: Why Learn TypeScript in 2026
As TypeScript overtakes Python and JavaScript on GitHub, job markets are reflecting this shift:
Strong demand for TypeScript skills:
-
Full-stack developer roles (TypeScript + Node)
-
Front-end frameworks (Next.js, Astro, Angular)
-
API and microservices in TypeScript
-
Dev tooling and static analysis
Learning TypeScript now positions you for:
-
Better salaries
-
A wider range of backend & frontend roles
-
AI-enhanced development teams
If you’re planning your path, also refer to Python in 2026: Career Scope & Example Projects for a career contrast.
🧰 Tips for Learning TypeScript Fast
1. Understand JavaScript First
TypeScript builds on JS, so a solid JS foundation helps.
2. Start with Types
Learn basic types (string, number, boolean), then move to interfaces and generics.
3. Use It in a React or Node Project
Practice on real codebases, not just playgrounds.
4. Enable Strict Mode
In TypeScript config:
{
"compilerOptions": {
"strict": true
}
}
Strict mode improves reliability.
⚠️ Common Misconceptions
❌ TypeScript is Hard
TypeScript gets easier once you understand basic types.
❌ It Replaces JavaScript
No — it extends JavaScript, making it safer.
❌ Python Is Dead
Not true — Python excels in AI and data science, and many teams use both languages together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that TypeScript overtook Python and JavaScript on GitHub?
It means that more developers contributed to TypeScript repos than to Python or JavaScript in August 2025, marking TypeScript as the top-used language on GitHub.
Why is TypeScript growing so fast?
Because typed languages work better for large codebases and AI-assisted coding, and most modern frameworks default to TypeScript.
Does this mean Python is gone?
No. Python still leads in AI/ML and data science, but TypeScript leads in broader software development contributions.
Should I learn TypeScript or Python first?
Start with JavaScript fundamentals, then learn TypeScript. Python is great for AI/data paths.
Is TypeScript better than JavaScript?
TypeScript adds safety and tooling benefits, but both languages are useful — especially when used together in full-stack development.
🧠 Final Thoughts
TypeScript’s rise is not a fad — it’s a reflection of how software development is evolving in the AI era and the web-native era.
Static typing gives developers confidence, better tooling, and safer collaboration — all of which matter far more as codebases grow and teams rely on AI assistance.
Python still powers data, AI, and automation — but TypeScript is now the default language for modern full-stack development, and its rise shows no sign of slowing.
Related Articles
Related Articles
• Python in 2026: What It’s Used For, Career Scope & Example Projects
• How to Optimize Your Coding Workflow for Maximum Efficiency
• AI-Assisted Code Refactoring: How Tools Like Copilot & Cursor Improve Your Code Quality
• Few Creative Ways to Improve Your Coding Skills
• How to Fix NullPointerExceptions in Java