The generic parameter is extending a type but is being used in a contravariant position, causing TypeScript to struggle to unify it

When developing my functions, I aim to provide flexibility for consumers to use a wider type. However, I encounter issues when the type is used in a contravariant position and TypeScript raises complaints.

Here is the simplified code snippet:

function wrapper<T extends Event = Event>(node: HTMLElement) {
    const handler = (e: T) => console.log(e.cancelable);
    node.addEventListener("click", handler);
}

An error occurs with the following message:

Type 'Event' is not assignable to type 'T'. 'Event' can be assigned to the constraint of type 'T', but 'T' could be instantiated with a different subtype of constraint 'Event'.

I am seeking guidance on how to express my intention so that TypeScript can better understand it.

Link to working playground

Full code snippet:

export function tracker(
  eventType: string,
  options?: boolean | AddEventListenerOptions
) {
  const stream: Stream<Event> = Stream.empty();

  function tracker(node: HTMLElement) {
    const handler = (event: Event) => stream.shamefullySendNext(event);
    node.addEventListener( eventType, handler, options);

    return {
      destroy: () => {
        node.removeEventListener(eventType, handler);
        stream.shamefullySendComplete();
      },
    };
  }

  return {
    stream,
    tracker,
  };
}

Answer №1

It seems like your query is a bit complex, but I assume you are looking to narrow down based on the event type (such as "click") rather than the general event.

We can't safely utilize a generic T that extends Event since this T could have random additional properties. Let's consider an example:

interface CustomEvent extends Event {
 customProperty: string
};

const eventHandler = (e: CustomEvent) => console.log(e.cancelable);

No event listener would be able to trigger the callback eventHandler because their event doesn't include the property customProperty. Hence, you receive the error stating "Type 'Event' is not assignable to type 'T'."

However, we can narrow down based on event type which is what addEventListener accomplishes.

addEventListener<K extends keyof HTMLElementEventMap>(
    type: K, 
    listener: (this: HTMLElement, ev: HTMLElementEventMap[K]) => any, 
    options?: boolean | AddEventListenerOptions
): void;
addEventListener(
    type: string, 
    listener: EventListenerOrEventListenerObject, 
    options?: boolean | AddEventListenerOptions
): void;

By specifying a generic when calling addEventListener, we refine the event type based on the HTMLElementEventMap.

We can modify your tracker function to depend on the same generic

<K extends keyof HTMLElementEventMap>
. Now, your eventType must match K and your handler should accept (event: HTMLElementEventMap[K]). This narrows down the event without allowing for additional properties through extends.

export function tracker<K extends keyof HTMLElementEventMap>(
  eventType: K,
  options?: boolean | AddEventListenerOptions
) {
  const stream: Stream<HTMLElementEventMap[K]> = Stream.empty();

  function tracker(node: HTMLElement) {
    const eventHandler = (event: HTMLElementEventMap[K]) => stream.shamefullySendNext(event);
    node.addEventListener<K>( eventType, eventHandler, options);

    return {
      destroy: () => {
        node.removeEventListener(eventType, eventHandler);
        stream.shamefullySendComplete();
      },
    };
  }

  return {
    stream,
    tracker,
  };
}

Typescript Playground Link

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