TypeScript Type Safety

CRITICAL: Never use any type - it defeats TypeScript's purpose.

Rules

1. Use proper types for all data structures
2. Use unknown for truly unknown data, then narrow with type guards
3. Use type assertions sparingly and only when verified
4. Enable strict mode in tsconfig.json

Error Handling

❌ BAD - Using any:

server.on('error', (error: any) => {
  console.error('Server error:', error.message);
  if (error.details) {
    console.error('Details:', error.details.message);
  }
});

✅ GOOD - Proper Type Assertion:

server.on('error', (error) => {
  const typedError = error as Error & {
    details?: { message?: string };
  };
  console.error('Server error:', typedError.message);
  if (typedError.details?.message) {
    console.error('Details:', typedError.details.message);
  }
});

✅ EVEN BETTER - Type Guard:

function isErrorWithDetails(error: unknown): error is Error & { details: { message: string } } {
  return error instanceof Error &&
    typeof (error as any).details === 'object' &&
    typeof (error as any).details.message === 'string';
}

server.on('error', (error) => {
  console.error('Server error:', error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error));
  if (isErrorWithDetails(error)) {
    console.error('Details:', error.details.message);
  }
});

Why any is Problematic

• Disables all TypeScript checking
• No autocomplete in IDE
• Typos caught only at runtime
• Makes refactoring dangerous
• Defeats the purpose of TypeScript

When to Use Type Assertions

• Only after verifying the shape/type at runtime
• When TypeScript can't infer but you know the type
• Use as assertions, not angle brackets
• Document why the assertion is safe