Skip to main content

Picking the Right Utility Type in TypeScript

TypeScript is a statically typed language that provides several utility types to help developers write more expressive and maintainable code. In this article, we'll explore the different utility types available in TypeScript and provide guidance on how to choose the right one for your use case.

What are Utility Types?

Utility types are a set of generic types that can be used to manipulate and transform other types. They are called "utility" types because they provide a way to perform common type transformations and manipulations in a reusable and composable way.

1. Partial Type

The `Partial` type is used to create a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type. It is often used to create a type that represents a partial or incomplete version of an object.


interface User {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

type PartialUser = Partial<User>;

const user: PartialUser = {
  name: 'John Doe',
};

2. Readonly Type

The `Readonly` type is used to create a new type that represents a read-only version of an existing type. It is often used to create a type that represents a constant or immutable object.


interface User {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

type ReadonlyUser = Readonly<User>;

const user: ReadonlyUser = {
  name: 'John Doe',
  age: 30,
};

// Error: Cannot assign to 'name' because it is a read-only property.
user.name = 'Jane Doe';

3. Record Type

The `Record` type is used to create a new type that represents an object with a specific set of properties. It is often used to create a type that represents a dictionary or a map.


type StringNumberMap = Record<string, number>;

const map: StringNumberMap = {
  'one': 1,
  'two': 2,
};

4. Pick Type

The `Pick` type is used to create a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type. It is often used to create a type that represents a selection of properties from an object.


interface User {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

type UserName = Pick<User, 'name'>;

const user: UserName = {
  name: 'John Doe',
};

5. Omit Type

The `Omit` type is used to create a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type, excluding a specific set of properties. It is often used to create a type that represents an object with a specific set of properties removed.


interface User {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

type UserWithoutAge = Omit<User, 'age'>;

const user: UserWithoutAge = {
  name: 'John Doe',
};

6. Exclude Type

The `Exclude` type is used to create a new type that represents the exclusion of a specific type from a union type. It is often used to create a type that represents a union of types, excluding a specific type.


type StringOrNumber = string | number;

type ExcludeString = Exclude<StringOrNumber, string>;

const value: ExcludeString = 42;

7. Extract Type

The `Extract` type is used to create a new type that represents the extraction of a specific type from a union type. It is often used to create a type that represents a union of types, extracting a specific type.


type StringOrNumber = string | number;

type ExtractString = Extract<StringOrNumber, string>;

const value: ExtractString = 'hello';

8. NonNullable Type

The `NonNullable` type is used to create a new type that represents the non-nullable version of a type. It is often used to create a type that represents a value that cannot be null or undefined.


type NullableString = string | null | undefined;

type NonNullableString = NonNullable<NullableString>;

const value: NonNullableString = 'hello';

9. Parameters Type

The `Parameters` type is used to create a new type that represents the parameters of a function type. It is often used to create a type that represents the arguments of a function.


type AddFunction = (a: number, b: number) => number;

type AddFunctionParameters = Parameters<AddFunction>;

const parameters: AddFunctionParameters = [1, 2];

10. ReturnType Type

The `ReturnType` type is used to create a new type that represents the return type of a function type. It is often used to create a type that represents the result of a function.


type AddFunction = (a: number, b: number) => number;

type AddFunctionReturnType = ReturnType<AddFunction>;

const result: AddFunctionReturnType = 3;

11. InstanceType Type

The `InstanceType` type is used to create a new type that represents the instance type of a constructor type. It is often used to create a type that represents the instance of a class.


class User {
  constructor(public name: string) {}
}

type UserInstance = InstanceType<typeof User>;

const user: UserInstance = new User('John Doe');

12. ThisParameterType Type

The `ThisParameterType` type is used to create a new type that represents the type of the `this` parameter of a function type. It is often used to create a type that represents the context of a function.


type AddFunction = (this: void, a: number, b: number) => number;

type AddFunctionThisParameter = ThisParameterType<AddFunction>;

const thisParameter: AddFunctionThisParameter = undefined;

13. OmitThisParameter Type

The `OmitThisParameter` type is used to create a new type that represents the type of a function without the `this` parameter. It is often used to create a type that represents a function without the context.


type AddFunction = (this: void, a: number, b: number) => number;

type AddFunctionWithoutThisParameter = OmitThisParameter<AddFunction>;

const functionWithoutThisParameter: AddFunctionWithoutThisParameter = (a, b) => a + b;

14. ThisType Type

The `ThisType` type is used to create a new type that represents the type of the `this` parameter of a function type. It is often used to create a type that represents the context of a function.


type AddFunction = (this: void, a: number, b: number) => number;

type AddFunctionThisType = ThisType<AddFunction>;

const thisType: AddFunctionThisType = undefined;

Conclusion

In conclusion, TypeScript provides a wide range of utility types that can be used to manipulate and transform other types. By understanding the different utility types available, developers can write more expressive and maintainable code. In this article, we explored the different utility types available in TypeScript and provided examples of how to use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the `Partial` and `Readonly` types?

A: The `Partial` type creates a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type, while the `Readonly` type creates a new type that represents a read-only version of an existing type.

Q: How do I use the `Record` type to create a dictionary?

A: You can use the `Record` type to create a dictionary by specifying the key type and the value type. For example, `type StringNumberMap = Record<string, number>;` creates a dictionary with string keys and number values.

Q: What is the difference between the `Pick` and `Omit` types?

A: The `Pick` type creates a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type, while the `Omit` type creates a new type that represents a subset of the properties of an existing type, excluding a specific set of properties.

Q: How do I use the `Exclude` type to exclude a specific type from a union type?

A: You can use the `Exclude` type to exclude a specific type from a union type by specifying the type to exclude. For example, `type ExcludeString = Exclude<StringOrNumber, string>;` excludes the `string` type from the `StringOrNumber` union type.

Q: What is the difference between the `NonNullable` and `Nullable` types?

A: The `NonNullable` type creates a new type that represents the non-nullable version of a type, while the `Nullable` type creates a new type that represents the nullable version of a type.

Q: How do I use the `Parameters` type to create a type that represents the parameters of a function?

A: You can use the `Parameters` type to create a type that represents the parameters of a function by specifying the function type. For example, `type AddFunctionParameters = Parameters<AddFunction>;` creates a type that represents the parameters of the `AddFunction` function.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Resetting a D-Link Router: Troubleshooting and Solutions

Resetting a D-Link router can be a straightforward process, but sometimes it may not work as expected. In this article, we will explore the common issues that may arise during the reset process and provide solutions to troubleshoot and resolve them. Understanding the Reset Process Before we dive into the troubleshooting process, it's essential to understand the reset process for a D-Link router. The reset process involves pressing the reset button on the back of the router for a specified period, usually 10-30 seconds. This process restores the router to its factory settings, erasing all customized settings and configurations. 30-30-30 Rule The 30-30-30 rule is a common method for resetting a D-Link router. This involves pressing the reset button for 30 seconds, unplugging the power cord for 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in while holding the reset button for another 30 seconds. This process is designed to ensure a complete reset of the router. Troubleshooting Co...

Unlocking Interoperability: The Concept of Cross-Chain Bridges

As the world of blockchain technology continues to evolve, the need for seamless interaction between different blockchain networks has become increasingly important. This is where cross-chain bridges come into play, enabling interoperability between disparate blockchain ecosystems. In this article, we'll delve into the concept of cross-chain bridges, exploring their significance, benefits, and the role they play in fostering a more interconnected blockchain landscape. What are Cross-Chain Bridges? Cross-chain bridges, also known as blockchain bridges or interoperability bridges, are decentralized systems that enable the transfer of assets, data, or information between two or more blockchain networks. These bridges facilitate communication and interaction between different blockchain ecosystems, allowing users to leverage the unique features and benefits of each network. How Do Cross-Chain Bridges Work? The process of using a cross-chain bridge typically involves the follo...

A Comprehensive Guide to Studying Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a rapidly growing field in recent years, with applications in various industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation. As a student interested in studying AI, it's essential to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals, as well as the skills and knowledge required to succeed in this field. In this guide, we'll provide a comprehensive overview of the steps you can take to study AI and pursue a career in this exciting field. Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation in Math and Programming AI relies heavily on mathematical and computational concepts, so it's crucial to have a strong foundation in these areas. Here are some key topics to focus on: Linear Algebra: Understand concepts such as vectors, matrices, and tensor operations. Calculus: Familiarize yourself with differential equations, optimization techniques, and probability theory. Programming: Learn programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and ...