What causes Typescript to disregard specified argument types in generic method?

While creating this:

class AB<Initial, Current = Initial> {

    array: AB<unknown, unknown>[] = []

    push<Next extends any>(ab: AB<Current, Next>) : AB<Initial, Next> {
        this.array.push(ab)
        return this as AB<Initial, Next>;
    }
}

// In this case, ab is AB<'a','b'> and
// AB<'a','b'>.push<Next = 'x'>(ab: <Current,Next>) should expect AB<'b','x'>
const ab = new AB<'a', 'b'>();

// Since ab is AB<Initial = 'a', Current = 'b'>,
// the following ab.push<Next>'s parameter should
// expect AB<Initial = 'b', Current = Next> and
// AB<'e', 'x'> should raise an error because 'e' is not 'b'
const ax = ab.push(new AB<'e', 'x'>);

// Given that ax is AB<Intial = 'a', Current = 'x'>,
// the parameter for the subsequent ax.push<Next> should
// anticipate AB<Initial = 'x', Current = Next>, causing
// an error if AB<'f', 'z'> is used since 'f' doesn't match 'x'
const az = ax.push(new AB<'f', 'z'>);

I am anticipating Typescript to flag an error due to the mismatch in generic type constraint from the method.

While I have worked extensively with type constraints previously, I am unable to pinpoint a reason for this particular scenario.

typescript playground

Answer №1

The issue at hand can be summarized as follows:

class A<T> {}

const a: A<number> = new A<number>();
const b: A<string> = a; // no error is thrown

Since A does not utilize T in its definition, it essentially represents an empty object. However, when T is used, the scenario changes slightly:

class A<T> { value!: T }

const a: A<number> = new A<number>();
const b: A<string> = a; // an error occurs due to mismatching value property types

This discrepancy arises because TypeScript employs structural typing. It prioritizes the structure of a type over its specific name or provided type parameters.

To address this issue, it is advisable to incorporate type parameters in some manner. One approach involves using properties to alter the structure based on a type parameter:

class AB<Initial, Current = Initial> {
  #$initial!: Initial;
  #$current!: Current;

By making these properties private, consumers are deterred from inadvertently accessing them. Using a dollar sign prefix helps distinguish these properties as special and excludes them from autocomplete suggestions.

Playground


The ! symbol denotes an assertion that the property will definitely have a value. Although this may not hold true during runtime, the compiler will flag any discrepancies.

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