Using TypeScript to Bind a Class Method as a jQuery EventHandler

Currently, I am in the process of converting some JavaScript code to TypeScript and I am facing a challenge with defining the signature of a jQuery EventHandler.

In the original JavaScript code, simplified to more generic terms, there is an Observer prototype that subscribes to custom events triggered by an element:

Observer.prototype._subscribe = function() {
  this._row.bind('onItemChanged', this, this._onChangedHandler);
};
Observer.prototype._onChangedHandler= function(event, someString, someObject) {
  var that = event.data;
  if (someString === '42') {
    that.coolMethod(someObject);
  } else if (someString === '69') {
    that.otherCoolMethod(someObject);
  }
};

In another prototype named Subject, the trigger method notifies the observer with the event along with at least two data parameters:

Subject.prototype.foo = function() {
  // Trigger the event so Observer will be notified and pass in the string and the object (or any data whatsoever)
  this._element.trigger("onItemChanged", ["42", this._data]);
};

When attempting to translate this logic into TypeScript, I encountered issues with defining the correct parameter types for the event handler:

export class Observer {
  private _subscribe (): void {
        this._element.bind('onItemChanged', this, this._onChangedHandler);
  }
  private _onChangedHandler(event: JQueryEventObject, someString: string, someObject: FooBarClass) {
    let that = event.data as Observer;
    if (someString === '42') {
      that.coolMethod(someObject);
    } else if (someString === '69') {
      that.otherCoolMethod(someObject);
    }
  }
}

The TypeScript code above does not compile and throws an error related to incompatible types. How should the parameter types of the event handler be defined correctly?

P.S. Alternative suggestions involving using jQuery's on() instead of bind() are also welcomed.

P.P.S. Please note that while solutions involving the use of fat arrow notation to handle 'this' context are known, the focus here is on achieving type safety in the event handler method signature.

Answer №1

After experimenting with the 'any' type and debugging, I discovered during runtime that the first parameter is actually of type 'JQuery.Event,' which also compiles correctly in TypeScript when using jQuery's type definitions. It's a shame that tsc didn't reveal this information sooner at compile time (unless I misinterpreted the error shown in the question). Here is the corrected code snippet (regardless of using bind, fat arrow, or any other method to maintain the correct context/this):

export class Observer {
  private _element: JQuery;

  private _subscribe(): void {
    this._element.on('onItemChanged', (event: JQuery.Event, someString: string, someObject: FooBarClass) => { this._onChangedHandler(event, someString, someObject); });
  }

  private _onChangedHandler(event: JQuery.Event, someString: string, someObject: FooBarClass): void {
  }
}

Even though this provides some level of type safety, it's disappointing that handlers can still be attached with the incorrect signature and still compile. That seems to be just how event handlers work. On the bright side, you can invoke your methods directly with type safety and still use them as handlers.

For anyone facing similar issues, the signature should be as follows:

export class Observer {
  private _element: JQuery;

  private _subscribe(): void {
    this._element.on('anyevent', () => this._yourOwnHandler);
  }

  private _yourOwnHandler(event: JQuery.Event, ...args: any[]): void {
  }
}

In this case, '...args' can be whatever you choose to receive the desired number and types of parameters.

Answer №2

Just a heads up, I'm not really interested in exploring different techniques for accessing the correct 'this' context unless I am way off base here.

I understand that it may not be what you want to hear, but when working with events, it's crucial to pay attention to your scope.

this._element.on('itemChanged', this, () => {
    this._handleItemChange();
});

Furthermore, I suggest transitioning to on as bind is now considered outdated.

It might seem like an unusual response, considering that you probably already had an idea about these suggestions?

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