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TypeScript 4.6 Beta Improves Type Inference and Error Checking
The TypeScript team released version 4.6 beta, which introduces improvements to control flow analysis, class constructor definitions, error checks in JavaScript files, and others. TypeScript can now narrow down the signature for a function parameter whose type is a discriminated union.
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Flow Type Checker No Longer Just JavaScript with Types, Centers of Facebook Needs
Vladan Djeric, engineering manager supporting the Flow team at Facebook, announced that the Flow type checker will go beyond being just JavaScript with types and introduce new features based on Facebook’s internal user needs. In particular, Flow strives to deliver fast type-checking on large, complicated codebases. Flow’s vision is in contrast with TypeScript’s — JavaScript with syntax for types.
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NumPy 1.20 Released with Runtime SIMD Support and Type Annotations
NumPy 1.20 was recently released with new features focusing on performance and documentation. Developers can now use type annotations for NumPy functions. A wider use of SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) instructions increases the execution speed of universal functions (ufunc). NumPy’s documentation additionally sees significant improvements.
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Typescript 4.2 Released, Improves Types and Developer Experience
The TypeScript team announced the release of TypeScript 4.2, which features more flexible type annotations, stricter checks, extra configuration options, and a few breaking changes. Tuple types now allow rest arguments in any position (instead of only in last position). Type aliases are no longer expanded in type error messages, providing a better developer experience.
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Java 10 Could Bring Upgraded Lambdas
A new JEP proposes enhancements to lambda functionality, including better disambiguation, use of the underscore for unused parameters, and shadowing of outer variables. Although these changes would bring lambdas in Java closer to other languages', the community seems divided for now. This JEP complements a series of other proposals to improve the Java language with type inference and better enums.
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Java Enums to Be Enhanced with Sharper Type Support
Java enums will be enhanced with generics support and with the ability to add methods to individual items, a new JEP shows. Since both features can be delivered with the same code change, they are bundled together in the same JEP. The change only affects the Java compiler, and therefore no runtime changes are needed. Although there is no target version, Java 10 seems likely.
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Java Type Inference Won't Support Mutability Specification
Java type inference won't support differentiation of mutable vs immutable variables due to lack of consensus within the community regarding how this should be implemented, recent communication shows. Also, to prevent a long debate about corner cases, a number of such cases will be ruled out. Although the JEP doesn't indicate a target version, Java 10 seems likely.