I agree with the sentiment so this comment is more of a nitpick than anything constructive, but I do feel you may have missed the mark with the typescript example.
Even if you don't want to use TS in it's full glory, you can just rename your files with a `.ts`, turn strict mode off, run everything through the compilation step, and weed out a category of simple mistakes from that alone. Add in that you can slowly add in certain rules to reach a level of strictness as you need and I see no reason how a JS dev would be better off writing vanilla JS than at least using TS and only running the compile step. Of course, I think taking the time to learn and fully utilize typescript the best path forward, even those with absolutely no desire to learn it can utilize some of it's strengths by reading the docs for 15 minutes.
Far from an unnecessary complexity, it's because an incredibly helpful tool at all levels.
I'm a big TS fan, but for that type of person I feel like JSDoc + checkjs would suit them better. That way they don't have to deal with the hassle of making TS work with the rest of their tolling and build process.
I’m an enormous typescript proponent - I use it every day, even for the smallest, most trivial things :) in OP I was intending to steelman the anti-TS argument, but maybe I took it too far!
Even if you don't want to use TS in it's full glory, you can just rename your files with a `.ts`, turn strict mode off, run everything through the compilation step, and weed out a category of simple mistakes from that alone. Add in that you can slowly add in certain rules to reach a level of strictness as you need and I see no reason how a JS dev would be better off writing vanilla JS than at least using TS and only running the compile step. Of course, I think taking the time to learn and fully utilize typescript the best path forward, even those with absolutely no desire to learn it can utilize some of it's strengths by reading the docs for 15 minutes.
Far from an unnecessary complexity, it's because an incredibly helpful tool at all levels.