Differences between Typescript static methods and functions defined outside of classesWhen comparing Types

What distinguishes a static class method from a function defined outside a class in TypeScript, especially when visibility is not a concern?

While there are differences in visibility from other classes and files, what factors should be considered when deciding between using static methods or functions defined outside any classes for a specific use case within a single class?

For example:

export class Foo {
  
  constructor(bar: string) {
    Foo.shout(bar);
  }

  private static shout(content: string) {
    console.log(string.toUpperCase());
  }
}

VS

export class Foo {
  
  constructor(bar: string) {
    shout(bar);
  }

}

function shout(content: string) {
  console.log(string.toUpperCase());
}

Answer №1

What are the practical differences between a static class method and a function defined outside a class (at the top of the file) in TypeScript?

There are not many differences:

  1. Code utilizing the static method must have access to the class, while code using a standalone function needs access to that specific function.

  2. The usage of a static method technically requires a property lookup on the class's constructor function, whereas using a standalone function does not. However, this is typically optimized and may not have a significant impact.

  3. The code inside the static method can access the parent constructor function via super, something unique to JavaScript. This is not possible in a standalone function as there is no parent constructor.

  4. Regarding your example: The standalone function shout is private to the module it belongs to, while the static method on Foo can be accessed by other modules importing Foo.

Approaching subjective territory:

  1. A standalone function lacks context since it stands alone without indication of its origin or purpose. In contrast, a static method provides context through the class name. However, when using modules (as indicated), the import statement also offers some contextual information for the standalone function.

...when should we use static methods rather than functions defined outside any classes.

This decision often comes down to personal preference and coding style, making it more suitable for discussion outside the scope of Stack Overflow. If consistency within the team is desired, establish a set of rules and adhere to them consistently.

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