TypeScript is a statically typed superset of JavaScript, designed to improve the development experience by adding optional type annotations and other language features to JavaScript. Created by Microsoft, TypeScript compiles down to plain JavaScript, making it compatible with any JavaScript environment, including browsers, Node.js, and mobile apps. The addition of static typing helps developers catch errors at compile time, rather than at runtime, reducing the likelihood of bugs and improving code quality. TypeScript also introduces features like interfaces, enums, and decorators, which enhance code organization and maintainability.

TypeScript has gained widespread adoption in the development community, particularly for large-scale applications, due to its ability to improve code reliability, readability, and refactoring capabilities. It integrates well with popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, and is supported by modern development tools like Visual Studio Code. By using TypeScript, developers can build more robust and maintainable applications, with the added benefit of leveraging existing JavaScript libraries and frameworks. The growing popularity of TypeScript reflects the increasing demand for type safety and better tooling in modern web development.