The differences between using a loosely typed language and a strongly typed language in programming are significant. In a loosely typed language, there is no requirement to explicitly specify the types of variables and objects, allowing for greater flexibility. On the other hand, a strongly typed language insists on types being specified.
Both approaches have their merits and drawbacks, depending on the intended context and usage. JavaScript, for instance, is known for being loosely typed. In JavaScript, there is no need to declare that a variable is a string or require a function to only accept an integer parameter. This flexibility enables developers to move quickly, make changes easily, and iterate at a faster pace.
In contrast, a strong type system provides more structure to a program, which can be extremely helpful when working in teams. When multiple programmers are involved in a project, it is nearly impossible for one individual to have complete knowledge of the entire codebase. Strong types aid in code manageability and make collaborations smoother. Strongly typed languages are often compiled languages, whereas well-known dynamic languages like JavaScript, Python, and Ruby are loosely typed.
In exchange for the flexibility offered by a loosely typed language, stronger type systems provide increased security and reliability to the codebase. Thanks to types, compilers can detect errors at compile time rather than at runtime, making it easier to write code that behaves as intended. This also simplifies the testing phase, although it is important to note that even strongly typed languages cannot guarantee perfection in programming.
A prime example of a strongly typed language is TypeScript. It compiles to JavaScript, offering the benefits of the JavaScript platform while incorporating the advantages of static types. Other examples of strongly typed languages include C, Go, Java, and Swift.
It is important to note that being loosely typed does not mean that a language lacks types altogether. As discussed in my previous blog post on JavaScript Types, even in JavaScript, types exist implicitly, with their own set of strengths and weaknesses.