[rlp]

This is my exact experience. TypeScript seemed to hit a complexity sweet spot about 5 years ago, then they just kept adding more obscure stuff to the type system. I find that understanding TypeScript compiler errors can be almost as difficult as understanding C++ template errors at times.

[epolanski]

Hint, 9 times out of 10 you only need to read the last part of the error.

Also, there are many ways to make types opaque (not show their entire verbose structure).

[trevor-e]

Which begs the question of why they don't rearrange that part to the first in the error message. Like you said, 9/10 times I scroll down without thinking which is silly.

[epolanski]

I have no clue, but I guess there were (and are), good discussions around it.

[phplovesong]

This. Haxe is a more sane TS alternative in 2024.

[earslap]

Haxe is amazing, has macros etc. A force multiplier if you are a solo developer for sure. But damn, you feel kinda alone if you are using it. Not everything is an npm install away which negates your velocity gains from using a saner language.

[phplovesong]

I RARELY/NEVER have to build an app so fast that i just fart out whatever broken code as fast as my fingers can type. IF i get a project like this with a deadline of "yesterday" i politely just refuse. I will be wasting my personal time, and the clients time. And the result will be a broken mess that will eventually take more time to fix, than it would have if i in fact did it "correct" from the get go.

That said Haxe has externs, enabling you to target JS/PHP and use the rich ecosystem both langauges have. The best part of externs is that IF i only use 4 things from given package, i statically KNOW i only use these 4 things, and can refactor more easily, or even build the thing i need myself.

[earslap]

When I'm talking about velocity, I'm not talking about coding fast, but being able to write DRY, flexible yet easily maintainable code that can weather future requirements / refactorings easily. Personally, I'm also talking in the context of my own projects so nobody is breathing down my neck or pressuring me with time. I just want to write good code that is a joy to maintain for years to come.

[pier25]

Ironically Haxe was inspired by ActionScript 3 which was the basis for the EcmaScript 4 proposal which was abandoned back in 2008 or so.

[jadbox]

It's Haxe still been actively developed? I loved it back in the day. The blog hasn't had an update in years.

[phplovesong]

It is. And only getting better SLOWLY by each iteration. The thing i love about Haxe that once you use it, your installed version is not legacy in a month (unlike npm/typescipt ecosystem). Haxe is fully working, and does not need a lot of "new" features.

More news about Haxe can be found here: https://haxe.io/ (the old blog is not updated AFAIK)