CoffeeScript vs Transcrypt
CoffeeScript
coffeescript.orgTranscrypt
transcrypt.orgSide by side
| Figure | CoffeeScript | Transcrypt |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Code Transpilers | 7.9 (#11) | 8.0 (#9) |
| Compatibility limit | JSX output always requires transpilation, and CoffeeScript says users are responsible for ensuring their runtime supports the modern features they use or transpiling the output. | The documentation says Python exec and eval are unsupported because Transcrypt precompiles code; JavaScript eval is supported. |
| Installation | CoffeeScript is installed through npm, either globally or as a project dependency. | The site recommends installing Transcrypt with pip as a Python package. |
| Integrations | The compiler supports Babel transpilation, and the site lists Gulp, Webpack, Grunt, and Broccoli as build-chain options. | The examples page includes integrations or demos involving jQuery, React, Fabric.js, D3.js, Plotly.js, and Riot. |
| Language features | CoffeeScript 2 includes async function and JSX syntax support. | Listed features include multiple inheritance, async/await, comprehensions, modules, optional static type checking, source maps, and built-in minification. |
| Node.js | The command-line utility requires Node 6 or later, while the core compiler can run in any JavaScript environment or in a browser. | Transcrypt can compile Python to JavaScript for use on both the client and server with Node.js, subject to facilities available on each platform. |
| Purpose | CoffeeScript is a language that compiles into JavaScript. | Transcrypt compiles Python source code into JavaScript for browser applications. |
| Support | The maker directs bug reports, feature proposals, and ideas to its GitHub issues page and identifies a mailing list as a place to ask questions. | The FAQ recommends Stack Overflow for help and says commercial support is available on demand. |
Plans
In their own words
CoffeeScript
CoffeeScript is a language that compiles to JavaScript, so its output runs without a CoffeeScript interpreter. It can use existing JavaScript libraries, and JavaScript can use libraries written in CoffeeScript. Version 2 produces modern JavaScript syntax, including classes and arrow functions, and supports async functions and JSX. The `coffee` command runs scripts, compiles `.coffee` files to `.js`, and opens an interactive REPL; it can also generate inline or external source maps. Install it through npm, globally or as a project dependency. The core compiler can run in a browser or another JavaScript environment, while the command-line utility requires Node 6 or later. Its Node API compiles CoffeeScript strings and can return source maps or an abstract syntax tree. Babel transpilation is available when `@babel/core` is installed. The integrations section links to build tools, editors, frameworks, linters, formatters, and testing resources. JSX output always needs transpilation, and users must ensure their runtime supports the modern features they use or transpile the result. CoffeeScript is free and open source.
Transcrypt
Transcrypt compiles Python source code into JavaScript for browser applications. It converts a substantial subset of Python into JavaScript 6, with optional minification, and supports features including multiple inheritance, async/await, comprehensions, and modules. Developers can call JavaScript functions from Python and use browser DOM functions and JavaScript libraries. The distribution includes optional static type validation and consistency checks, plus multilevel source maps for tracing generated JavaScript back to the original Python. Transcrypt can also compile Python server code for Node.js and use Node libraries with require(). The project recommends installing it as a Python package with pip and documents testing on Windows, Linux, and OSX. Its focus is browser development and JavaScript libraries rather than desktop Python libraries. Because code is precompiled, Python exec and eval are unsupported, although JavaScript eval is supported. C and C++ libraries are not directly supported for browser use without special measures such as compiling them to asm.js. Transcrypt is free and open source under Apache 2.0.