Generic Object type in typescript

Question

In typescript is there any way to assign a variable a generic object type. Here's what I mean by 'generic Object type'

let myVariable: GenericObject = 1 // Should throw an error                               = 'abc' // Should throw an error                               = {} // OK                               = {name: 'qwerty'} //OK 

i.e. It should only allow javascript objects to be assigned to the variable and no other type of data(number, string, boolean)

Answer 1

Sure thing:

type GenericObject = { [key: string]: any };  let myVariable1: GenericObject = 1; // Type 'number' is not assignable to type '{ [key: string]: any; }' let myVariable2: GenericObject = 'abc'; // Type 'string' is not assignable to type '{ [key: string]: any; }' let myVariable3: GenericObject = {} // OK let myVariable4: GenericObject = {name: 'qwerty'} //OK 

(code in playground)

Answer 2

Typescript 2.1+ also has has a utility type, Record<K, T>, you can use instead of making your own definition

const myObj: Record<string, any>; 

I like to use the style described in top answer when I can give a meaningful name to key but if it's not really as obvious or necessary Record is a great option.