To better conceptualize types, consider them as sets, categories, or groups. For instance, when you define a variable as a number:
let x: number;
The variable x
can encompass all the values within the numbers set, which has an infinite range of potential values.
There are various other infinite categories or groups (types) like the string
type. Conversely, there are categories with a finite number of possible values, such as the boolean
category.
You also have the option to declare a variable as a combination of multiple categories:
let x: number | boolean;
This line introduces a new group that can include an infinite array of potential values, including true, false, and all numbers.
When viewing types as sets, categories, or groups, it becomes clear why errors may not arise, for example in this scenario:
let myvalue: any = "50";
The myvalue
is recognized as valid number
because the any
type encompasses all other types. Therefore, any
can be interpreted as a valid number
, boolean
, string
, etc.