Transpiler
A transpiler (source-to-source compiler) is a tool that converts source code from one programming language to another at the same abstraction level, often to enable compatibility with different environments or to use modern language features in older systems. It transforms code while preserving its functionality, allowing developers to write in a preferred or newer language and run it where it wouldn't natively be supported. Common examples include Babel for JavaScript and TypeScript Compiler for TypeScript.
Developers should learn and use transpilers when working with modern JavaScript features that need to run in older browsers, or when adopting languages like TypeScript or CoffeeScript that compile to JavaScript for web development. They are essential for cross-platform development, enabling code written in one language to be executed in environments that only support another, such as using Emscripten to compile C++ to WebAssembly for the web.