Implementing generic parameter defaults

In this lesson, we will learn how to define a default on a generic parameter.

Generic parameter default type syntax

A default type can be defined on a generic parameter as follows:

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<T = DefaultType>

We specify the default type after the equals (=) sign after the generic parameter.

Generic parameter defaults can be added to functions, interfaces, type aliases, and classes.

An example

We are going to explore default generic parameters in an exercise.

Open exercise in CodeSandbox

The code contains a generic function and a generic interface. We are going to explore the generic interface first.

• Copy the code from below into the editor:

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const button: Component = {
  name: "Button",
  props: {
    text: "Save",
  },
  log: () => console.log("Save button"),
};

This creates an object with the Component interface.

We could of course pass in the types as follows:

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const button: Component<string, { text: string }> = ...

... but we aren't going to do that!

• Specify a default type of string for T1 in the Component interface.

• Specify a default type of any for T2 in the Component interface.

The type errors have been resolved now.

Nice!

• Add the following code:

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1console.log(button.props.text);
2console.log(button.props.text2);

When a generic parameter default is used, the type might be wider than necessary.

Let's move on to explore the generic function.

• Add the following code:

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const first = firstOrNull([1, 2, 3]);
console.log(first);

• Specify a default type of string for T in the firstOrNull function.

Summary

Default types for generic parameters can make interfaces, type aliases, and classes easier to consume. It is important to be aware that consuming code can be weaker typed if this approach is used.

Generic functions don't require generic parameters to be passed. TypeScript can generally infer generic parameter types on functions from the parameters passed into it. So, generic parameter defaults aren't that useful on generic functions.

In the next lesson, we will learn how to constrain the type of generic parameters.