Which is Better Babel Presets and Plugins?
@babel/preset-env vs @babel/preset-typescript vs @babel/preset-flow vs babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types
1 Year
@babel/preset-env@babel/preset-typescript@babel/preset-flowbabel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-typesSimilar Packages:
What's Babel Presets and Plugins?

These Babel packages are essential for transforming modern JavaScript and type systems into a format that is compatible with older environments. They allow developers to use the latest language features and type annotations without worrying about browser support. Each package serves a specific purpose, catering to different use cases and programming paradigms, facilitating a smoother development experience and enhancing code maintainability.

NPM Package Downloads Trend
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@babel/preset-env24,719,40043,193242 kB7866 days agoMIT
@babel/preset-typescript16,124,30043,19395.2 kB7866 days agoMIT
@babel/preset-flow7,019,38843,19380.4 kB7866 days agoMIT
babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types420,793---8 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: @babel/preset-env vs @babel/preset-typescript vs @babel/preset-flow vs babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types

Purpose

  • @babel/preset-env: @babel/preset-env is designed to allow developers to use the latest JavaScript features without worrying about browser compatibility. It automatically determines the necessary transformations and polyfills based on the specified target environments, enabling a more streamlined development process.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: @babel/preset-typescript is aimed at developers using TypeScript. It allows for the integration of TypeScript's type system into Babel's compilation process, enabling the use of modern JavaScript features while ensuring compatibility with TypeScript's syntax and semantics.
  • @babel/preset-flow: @babel/preset-flow is specifically tailored for projects that utilize Flow for type checking. It facilitates the use of Flow's type annotations in your code and ensures that these annotations are stripped out during the build, allowing for a clean JavaScript output.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types serves a focused purpose of removing Flow type annotations from your code. It is a lightweight solution for projects that need to strip types without the overhead of a full preset, making it ideal for simpler setups.

Compatibility

  • @babel/preset-env: This preset is highly compatible with a wide range of JavaScript environments, including older browsers and Node.js versions. By specifying the target environments, developers can ensure that their code runs smoothly across different platforms, enhancing the user experience.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: @babel/preset-typescript is designed to work with TypeScript projects, ensuring that TypeScript's syntax is correctly transformed into JavaScript. It allows developers to use TypeScript's features while ensuring compatibility with JavaScript runtimes.
  • @babel/preset-flow: @babel/preset-flow is compatible with projects that use Flow for type checking. It integrates seamlessly into Babel's workflow, allowing developers to leverage Flow's features while maintaining compatibility with JavaScript environments.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: This plugin is compatible with any JavaScript project that uses Flow. It can be easily integrated into existing Babel configurations, allowing for the removal of Flow types without affecting the rest of the build process.

Learning Curve

  • @babel/preset-env: @babel/preset-env has a moderate learning curve, as it requires understanding of the target environments and the implications of using modern JavaScript features. However, once set up, it simplifies the development process significantly.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: @babel/preset-typescript is relatively easy to adopt for developers already familiar with TypeScript. It integrates well with existing TypeScript projects, but understanding the nuances of TypeScript's type system is essential for effective use.
  • @babel/preset-flow: @babel/preset-flow has a steeper learning curve, particularly for developers unfamiliar with Flow's type system. Understanding how to effectively use Flow annotations alongside Babel can take some time but ultimately leads to more robust code.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: This plugin is straightforward to use, especially for developers who are already familiar with Babel. It requires minimal configuration, making it easy to integrate into existing projects that use Flow.

Extensibility

  • @babel/preset-env: @babel/preset-env is highly extensible, allowing developers to customize the transformations and polyfills based on their specific needs. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of projects, from small libraries to large applications.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: @babel/preset-typescript is also extensible, allowing developers to integrate it with other Babel plugins and presets. This makes it easy to create a customized build pipeline that leverages both TypeScript and Babel's powerful features.
  • @babel/preset-flow: @babel/preset-flow can be extended with additional Babel plugins to enhance its functionality. Developers can combine it with other Babel presets and plugins to create a tailored build process that meets their project's requirements.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: This plugin can be used in conjunction with other Babel plugins, allowing for a modular approach to build configurations. Developers can easily add it to their existing Babel setup without significant changes.

Performance

  • @babel/preset-env: @babel/preset-env optimizes performance by only including the necessary transformations and polyfills for the specified target environments. This results in smaller bundle sizes and faster load times, which is crucial for web applications.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: @babel/preset-typescript focuses on performance by allowing developers to leverage TypeScript's type system while ensuring that the compiled output is efficient. It does not perform type checking, which can speed up the build process when used alongside the TypeScript compiler.
  • @babel/preset-flow: @babel/preset-flow maintains performance by stripping Flow types during the build process, ensuring that the output is clean JavaScript without unnecessary overhead. However, the initial setup may require additional configuration to optimize performance.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: This plugin enhances performance by removing Flow types at build time, ensuring that the final output is lightweight and free from type annotations. It allows for a more efficient build process without sacrificing the benefits of using Flow during development.
How to Choose: @babel/preset-env vs @babel/preset-typescript vs @babel/preset-flow vs babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types
  • @babel/preset-env: Choose @babel/preset-env if you want to compile modern JavaScript down to a version that is compatible with a wide range of environments. This preset automatically determines the transformations and polyfills needed based on your target browsers or runtime environments, making it ideal for projects that need to support various platforms.
  • @babel/preset-typescript: Opt for @babel/preset-typescript when you are using TypeScript in your project. This preset allows you to use TypeScript's type system while compiling your code to plain JavaScript. It does not perform type checking, so you should use the TypeScript compiler separately for that purpose, making it suitable for projects that prioritize type safety and modern JavaScript features.
  • @babel/preset-flow: Select @babel/preset-flow if your project uses Flow for static type checking. This preset enables the use of Flow's type annotations and removes them during the build process, allowing you to maintain type safety while ensuring compatibility with JavaScript environments that do not support Flow natively.
  • babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types: Use babel-plugin-transform-flow-strip-types if you want to strip Flow type annotations from your code without using the full preset. This plugin is particularly useful in projects that may not require all the features of @babel/preset-flow but still want to remove Flow types during the build process.
README for @babel/preset-env

@babel/preset-env

A Babel preset for each environment.

See our website @babel/preset-env for more information or the issues associated with this package.

Install

Using npm:

npm install --save-dev @babel/preset-env

or using yarn:

yarn add @babel/preset-env --dev