What is the difference between the :
syntax for declaring type
let serverMessage: UServerMessage = message;
and the as
syntax
let serverMessage = message as UServerMessage;
They seem to produce the same result in this example at least
Variable Declaration in TypeScriptThe type syntax for declaring a variable in TypeScript is to include a colon (:) after the variable name, followed by its type. Just as in JavaScript, we use the var keyword to declare a variable. When you declare a variable, you have four options −
The := syntax is shorthand for declaring and initializing a variable, example f := "car" is the short form of var f string = "car" The short variable declaration operator( := ) can only be used for declaring local variables.
One is a type annotation one is a type assertion.
The type annotation tells the compiler check that the assignment is fully valid and that message
is indeed compatible with UServerMessage
The type assertion tells the compiler, I know what I'm doing, message
is a UServerMessage
, never mind what you think you know, I have more information and I know best. Some checks are still performed even if you use type assertions so you might see double assertions message as any as UServerMessage
for example if the type of message
is very incompatible with UServerMessage
You should always prefer a type annotation to an assertion. Use assertion with care and only if you have to. A type assertion is a hammer to get a square peg to fit into a round hole, useful at times but you might take a second look at what you are doing to make sure its right. Make sure it's not:
Yes they are different
Firstly, let's see this example
let a: string;
let b: number;
function c() {
const d = (a || b) as number; // Works
const e: number = (a || b); // Throw typing error
}
so as number
telling Typescript that in that case, the value will be a number (define the type of the result). It forces Typescript to think that it will always return a number (even that it could be not true).
``: number``` define the type of the variable, not the result. So Typescript will verify and ensure that there could not be another case (Even that it could never happen).
Hope that help.
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With