Understanding the type of multidimensional arrays in arguments

When passing a generic multidimensional array T[][] (or rest params of T[]), TypeScript appears to expect the subsequent arrays to be a superset of the types in the first array.

function abc<T>(values: T[][]): T[] {
    return values[0];
}

abc([[1], ['string'], [2], [3]]) // Error: Type 'string' is not assignable to type 'number'.

What is the reason for this behavior? Is there a way to make it infer the type as (number | string)[][]?

Answer №1

Have you ever thought about dropping a subtle hint that you want to turn it into a union type?

abc<string | number>([[1], ['string'], [2], [3]])

In this scenario, the error occurs because TypeScript assumes that you prefer T to be a singular type, rather than a union type.

Picture this: what if TypeScript always accepted whatever types you input in the array and just expanded the type to accommodate them? You would lose the benefits of type checking and might end up with a string | number | boolean | etc union type, which basically equates to any and is probably not what you had in mind.

Answer №2

After much experimentation, I finally cracked the code on how to get this to function properly.

By defining the multidimensional array as a generic type, everything falls into place just as anticipated:

function xyz<T, TMultiArray extends T[][]>(arr: TMultiArray): T[] {
    // Some pseudo logic that outputs random values
    return arr[Math.floor(Math.random() * arr.length)];
}

No more error messages! The default inference for the return type is now unknown[]

xyz([[1], ['word']])

Expectedly, an error pops up when trying this out

const z: number[] = xyz([[2], ['word']]) // Type 'string' is not assignable to type 'number'.

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