title: Any difference between type assertions and the newer `as` operator in TypeScript?
body: <p>Is there any difference between what the TypeScript spec calls a type assertion:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var circle = &lt;Circle&gt; createShape("circle");
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And the <a href="https://github.com/Microsoft/TypeScript/wiki/What&#39;s-new-in-TypeScript#new-tsx-file-extension-and-as-operator" rel="noreferrer">newer</a> <code>as</code> operator:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var circle = createShape("circle") as Circle;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Both of which are typically used for compile-time casting?</p>