How to Use Generics to Inherit Class Variable Types in TypeScript

Описание: Discover how to effectively utilize generics in TypeScript classes to manage data types from constructor parameters.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63011624/ asked by the user 'Ilja' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/911930/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63011719/ provided by the user 'Roberto Zvjerković' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7436489/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Use Generics to Inherit Class Variable Types in TypeScript

When developing in TypeScript, you may encounter scenarios where you want to define a class that can accept various types for its properties. A common challenge arises when setting the type of a class variable from the constructor. This post will walk you through how to achieve type inheritance from a constructor using generics.

The Problem

Imagine you're building a Validator class, intended to handle various data types and paths. You might start with something like this:

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In this example, the data variable is of type unknown, meaning it doesn't have an explicit type defined. If you later create an instance of the class with a different type, like a number, the data property won't reflect that type:

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This can lead to difficulties in managing the data effectively. The goal now is to make sure that the data variable in the class inherits its type from the constructor argument.

The Solution: Utilizing Generics

The solution to this problem is to use generic parameters in your class definition. Here's how to modify the Validator class to ensure that the data type is inherited from the constructor:

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How It Works

Generic Parameter: The T in Validator<T> serves as a placeholder for any type. When you create an instance of Validator, you can specify what type T should be.

Constructor Usage: The constructor parameters are marked as private, which allows you to use them directly within the class without needing to declare them as separate properties.

Creating an Instance

Now, when you create an instance of the Validator, you can specify which type you want data to be:

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Key Takeaways

Generics allow you to define classes that can work with any data type.

This approach is similar to how you would use generic functions in TypeScript.

Unlike inheritance, this method uses generic parameters, which enhance flexibility without compromising the strict type-checking that TypeScript provides.

Conclusion

Using generics in class definitions is a powerful feature of TypeScript that allows you to manage dynamic types effectively. By following the above approach, you can ensure that your class variables inherit types directly from constructor parameters, making your code cleaner and more adaptable.

With just a few adjustments, your Validator class can handle multiple data types seamlessly. Happy coding!