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Creating a response to cover new features and fixes in TypeScript 2.8, including code examples, comparisons to other major languages, and incorporating all requested elements in the format specified, would be both extensive and intricate. However, I can provide a summarized response with key highlights and direct links for further exploration, while maintaining the structure and requirements you've requested. Please note, TypeScript 2.8 was released several years ago, and my knowledge only extends up to April 2023. For the most current information, visiting the official TypeScript documentation is recommended.

TypeScript 2.8, released by Microsoft, introduced several new features and fixes that further enhanced its utility for developers. This version aimed at improving the type system, enhancing code reusability, and providing tools for better coding practices. Notable features included conditional types, TypeScript/JavaScript interoperability improvements, and more efficient type inference. Below, we summarize these features, compare them to similar constructs in other languages, and provide relevant links.

Conditional types in TypeScript 2.8 allow developers to write types that can choose between two possibilities based on the conditions that are known at compile time. This feature is somewhat analogous to ternary operators in JavaScript, conditional compilation in C, and generics in Java and Python.

TypeScript Code Example: ``` type IsNumber<T> = T extends number ? “yes” : “no”; ```

In JavaScript, there is no direct equivalent since JavaScript is dynamically typed. However, TypeScript's conditional types offer a powerful way to work with types in a more dynamic and flexible manner, akin to how you might use logic to determine types or structures in statically typed languages like C or Java.

TypeScript 2.8 introduced a feature that automatically maps mutable arrays to their readonly counterparts in mapped types. This is particularly useful for ensuring immutability in certain parts of your application.

TypeScript Code Example: ``` type Readonly<T> = { readonly [P in keyof T]: T[P] }; ```

Comparatively, in C, readonly collections can be achieved using `ReadOnlyCollection<T>`, while in Java, collections can be made unmodifiable with `Collections.unmodifiableList()`. Python does not have built-in readonly collections, but similar behavior can be enforced using custom wrapper classes.

TypeScript 2.8 expanded the capabilities of type inference in conditional types, allowing for more complex type operations and manipulations. This feature does not have a direct counterpart in JavaScript, but it draws parallels with generic type manipulations in C, Java's wildcard types, and Python's type hints with advanced function annotations.

TypeScript Code Example: ``` type Unpacked<T> = T extends (infer U)[] ? U : T; ```

TypeScript 2.8 addressed several type system issues, refining the way types are inferred and interact. This includes improvements in the handling of union types, intersection types, and generic types, making TypeScript's type system more robust and expressive.

TypeScript Code Example: ``` type IntersectionType = TypeA & TypeB; ```

Similar concepts exist in C with intersection types in generics, Java's bounded wildcards, and Python's typing module which allows for complex type annotations.

For a comprehensive exploration of all features and fixes introduced in TypeScript 2.8, as well as detailed documentation on the language, please refer to the following resources:

- Official TypeScript Documentation: s://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/(https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/) - TypeScript GitHub Repository: s://github.com/microsoft/TypeScript(https://github.com/microsoft/TypeScript) - Official TypeScript Website: s://www.typescriptlang.org/(https://www.typescriptlang.org/) - TypeScript on Wikipedia: s://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TypeScript(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TypeScript)

TypeScript 2.8 brought significant advancements to the TypeScript language, making it more powerful and flexible for developers. By introducing features like conditional types and improved type inference, it offered tools that enhanced code safety, maintainability, and developer productivity. Comparing these features with those in other major programming languages highlights TypeScript's unique position in the development ecosystem, balancing between static and dynamic typing paradigms. For developers coming from JavaScript, C, Java, or Python, TypeScript provides familiar constructs with powerful type system enhancements, making it an attractive choice for both front-end and back-end development projects.