Tips for maintaining the data type of a typed array in typescript while clearing it?

During a recent class, I defined an array with the type CustomType as shown below:

class Example {
  public exampleArray: CustomType[];
  public clearArray() {
    this.exampleArray = [];
  }
}

It appears that the clearArray method assigns an UNDEFINED type to an empty array, potentially causing loss of type information.

Is there a way to clear the array while still preserving its declared type?

Answer №1

The determination of type information relies on the field's type annotation (e.g., exampleArray: CustomType[]). Even though Javascript arrays are untyped at runtime, the compiler permits assigning an empty array ([]) to any variable as a safety measure. This is because, with no objects inside, it can be assumed to be an array of CustomType. Consequently, trying to push objects of a different type into the array will result in a compilation error due to the declared field type:

class CustomType { x: number}
class Example {
    public exampleArray: CustomType[];
    public clearArray() {
        this.exampleArray = [];
        this.exampleArray.push(new CustomType())
        this.exampleArray.push({}) // error not a `CustomType`
    }
}

Note:

If the variable had no type annotation, it would default to any[], which could lead to issues since type checking is not enforced when assigning or pushing elements to the array:

let noAnnotationArray = [] //  any[]

In such cases, adding a type annotation is strongly recommended for ensuring type safety. Using type assertions (as proposed in other responses) might introduce unnoticed errors if non-matching items are added to the array later on:

let withAnnotation:CustomType[] = [{}] //  error
let withAssertion = <CustomType[]>[{}] // no error even though we assign {}

Answer №2

It appears that this information is no longer current. A more up-to-date method exists.

this.customArray = [] as CustomType[];

Answer №3

Three possible methods for clearing an array:

  1. Set the length of the array to 0

    myArr.length = 0;

  2. Utilize the splice method for Arrays

    myArr.splice(0, myArr.length);

  3. Use Pop() on each element of the array

    while(myArr.length){
      myArr.pop();
    }    
    

Answer №4

To completely empty a list, simply set the length property to 0

For example: this.arrayExample.length = 0

By setting the length to 0, you effectively remove all elements from the array while keeping the original reference intact.

Answer №5

Ensure the array is emptied, even when passed as a parameter in a method:

myArray.length = 0;

Answer №6

One potential solution is to test it out using

this.sampleArray = <CustomType[]>[];

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