What is the best way to specify a function type that takes an argument of type T and returns void?

I am in search of a way to create a type that can accept any (x: T) => void function:

let a: MyType;
a = (x: number) => {};        // (x: number) => void
a = (x: string) => {};        // (x: string) => void
a = (x: SomeInterface) => {}; // (x: SomeInterface) => void
// ......

One approach could be to use

type MyType = (x: any) => void
, but using
type MyType = (x: unknown) => void
did not achieve the desired result. Is there an alternative way to define the type without relying on any?

Answer №1

In search of a function type that can accommodate (x: X) => void regardless of the type X, but without resorting to the risky any type. Your preference lies in utilizing the --strict set of compiler features, or possibly the --strictFunctionTypes compiler option.

To achieve this, you can employ (x: never) => void, with the parameter belonging to the impossible never type:

let a: (x: never) => void;
a = (x: number) => { console.log(x.toFixed(2)) }; // valid
a = (x: string) => { console.log(x.toUpperCase()) }; // valid
a = (x: SomeInterface) => { console.log(x.a.toFixed(2)) }; // valid

The reason behind this lies in the contravariant nature of function types in relation to their parameter types. It stipulates that

((x: X)=>void) extends ((y: Y)=>void)
only if Y extends X. Note the reverse position: it's Y extends X, not X extends Y. This indicates that a function's type shifts counter to its parameter type.

In a scenario where someone requests a function of type (y: Y)=>void to handle a value y of type

Y</code, offering a function <code>f
of type (x: X)=>void where Y extends X ensures seamless operation. However, providing a function g of type (z: Z)=>void where Z extends Y bears risks, as illustrated in the article referencing covariance and contravariance.

It is important to note that despite (x: never) => void being the answer to your specific question, it poses limitations due to the lack of narrowing for function types. Handling arguments of type never can lead to runtime errors, as there exists no actual value of type never to pass to the function.

While options like the unknown type offer certain flexibility, narrowing possiblities remain limited for function types due to TypeScript's erased static type system that doesn't retain argument types at runtime.

To mitigate the challenges of (x: never) => void, a suggested approach involves creating a type predicate function for runtime error capture.

Ultimately, while (x: never) => void may address your initial query, practical implications unveil the necessity for alternative solutions in scenarios involving function/argument pairs.

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