Setting character limits when defining string variables in TypeScript

Upon reviewing the documentation, it appears that there is no straightforward method to perform type checking for the minimum and maximum length of a string data type.

However, is there a possible way to define a string data type using custom types in order to verify if the string's length falls within specified limits?

Answer №1

If you want to enforce a specific type in TypeScript, you can utilize a type constructor along with what is known as a "Phantom Type" (learn more about this concept in this interesting article). This technique ensures that a type cannot be directly assigned to a value.

For instance, consider the StringOfLength<Min,Max> type created using these methods:

type StringOfLength<Min, Max> = string & {
  min: Min;
  max: Max;
  StringOfLength: unique symbol // acting as the phantom type
};

// The following function acts as a type guard and confirms that a given string meets the criteria of being of type StringOfLength<Min,Max>
const isStringOfLength = <Min extends number, Max extends number>(
  str: string,
  min: Min,
  max: Max
): str is StringOfLength<Min, Max> => str.length >= min && str.length <= max;
    
// Define the type constructor function
export const stringOfLength = <Min extends number, Max extends number>(
  input: unknown,
  min: Min,
  max: Max
): StringOfLength<Min, Max> => {
  if (typeof input !== "string") {
    throw new Error("invalid input");
  }
    
  if (!isStringOfLength(input, min, max)) {
    throw new Error("input is not between specified min and max");
  }
    
  return input; // the type of input now becomes StringOfLength<Min,Max>
};

// Utilize the type constructor function
const myString = stringOfLength('hello', 1, 10) // myString will have type StringOfLength<1,10>

// The type constructor function fails when the input is invalid
stringOfLength('a', 5, 10) // Error: input is not between specified min and max

// Manually assigning StringOfLength is prevented by the use of the phantom type:
const a: StringOfLength<0, 10> = 'hello' // Type '"hello"' is not assignable to type { StringOfLength: unique symbol }

It's important to note that there are limitations to this approach - for example, it does not prevent the creation of an invalid type like StringOfLength<-1, -300>. However, runtime checks can be added within the stringOfLength constructor function to ensure that the min and max values passed are valid.

Note: In Typescript, this technique has become more commonly referred to as "branded types."

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