In this video, GitHub showcases Anders Hejlsberg as he explains why TypeScript moved from CodePlex to GitHub and how this transition catalyzed the language’s growth by embracing open source best practices.

Why TypeScript Moved to GitHub in 2014

Anders Hejlsberg discusses the pivotal decision to transition TypeScript from CodePlex to GitHub in 2014. He highlights that simply publishing a project’s source code does not guarantee growth or community engagement. Before the move, TypeScript received minimal attention—described as “crickets”—which changed dramatically after joining GitHub.

Key Insights

  • Community Engagement: The change to GitHub, where more developers congregate, significantly boosted visibility and contributions.
  • Process Change: Microsoft started treating internal engineers as if they were external contributors, adopting a more transparent and inclusive development workflow.
  • Open Source Practices: The adoption of best practices, such as open discussions and pull requests, intertwined internal and external contributions to improve TypeScript.

Why This Matters

  • Moving to a popular platform can fundamentally transform a project’s growth and community input.
  • Organizing projects with open governance and equal treatment for all contributors fosters rapid evolution.

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