Yan LevinTypeScript is one of the core skills for modern frontend developers. Mastering it includes not just basic syntax but deeper concepts like types, interfaces, generics, and how TypeScript interacts with JavaScript libraries. Below is a curated list of 30 interview questions targeting a frontend developer role with a focus on TypeScript.
Basic TypeScript Syntax & Features
1. What are the key differences between TypeScript and JavaScript?
- TypeScript is a statically typed superset of JavaScript. It adds types, interfaces, and compile-time type checking, which JavaScript lacks. TypeScript transpiles to plain JavaScript, making it compatible with any JavaScript environment.
2. Why do we need TypeScript?
- TypeScript helps catch errors at compile time, offers better tooling (autocomplete, refactoring), and ensures more maintainable and scalable code by enforcing strict typing rules.
3. What types exist in TypeScript?
- TypeScript supports primitive types like
string,number,boolean,undefined,null,symbol, andbigint. It also supports complex types likearrays,tuples,enums,any,unknown,void,never,objects, andunionandintersectiontypes.
4. What is the difference between type and interface?
-
typeandinterfaceboth allow you to define custom types, butinterfaceis better suited for defining shapes of objects, whiletypecan handle more complex types such as unions and tuples.
type CustomType = string | number;
interface User {
id: number;
name: string;
}
5. What is your opinion on JSDoc as an alternative to TypeScript?
- JSDoc is a documentation tool that can annotate types in JavaScript, but it doesn’t offer the same compile-time safety as TypeScript. JSDoc lacks many features TypeScript has, such as static analysis, which ensures code correctness before execution.
6. What are union types in TypeScript? Give an example.
- A union type allows a value to be one of several types. It uses the
|operator to combine types.
function printId(id: number | string) {
console.log(id);
}
7. How does TypeScript handle type assertions? Why should you use as?
- Type assertions (using
asor the angle bracket syntax) tell the TypeScript compiler that you know the type better than it does. It's used when you're sure about the type but TypeScript cannot infer it correctly.
const value: any = "Hello";
const strLength: number = (value as string).length;
8. What is the difference between the unknown and any types?
-
unknownis safer thanany. Whileanydisables all type-checking,unknownforces you to perform type checks before manipulating the value.
let data: unknown;
data = "Hello";
if (typeof data === "string") {
console.log(data.toUpperCase());
}
9. What is the never type, and when would you use it?
- The
nevertype represents values that never occur. It's often used for functions that throw errors or infinite loops.
function throwError(): never {
throw new Error("This is an error");
}
10. What is type narrowing, and how does TypeScript implement it?
- Type narrowing occurs when TypeScript reduces the type of a variable to a more specific type using type guards, such as
typeoforinstanceof.
function padLeft(value: string | number) {
if (typeof value === "string") {
return value.padStart(10);
}
return value.toString();
}
Advanced Type Features
11. What are generics in TypeScript, and how do they contribute to reusability?
- Generics allow you to create reusable components or functions that work with any type, providing flexibility and type safety.
function identity<T>(arg: T): T {
return arg;
}
12. How do generics constraints work? Why are they useful?
- You can constrain generics to ensure they meet certain conditions, such as having certain properties.
function logLength<T extends { length: number }>(arg: T): void {
console.log(arg.length);
}
13. Describe conditional types and when they can be utilized.
- Conditional types allow you to create types that depend on a condition, enabling advanced type manipulation.
type IsString<T> = T extends string ? true : false;
14. What is the difference between the utility types Partial<T> and Pick<T, K>?
-
Partial<T>makes all properties inToptional.Pick<T, K>extracts specific properties fromT.
interface Person {
name: string;
age: number;
}
type PartialPerson = Partial<Person>;
type NameOnly = Pick<Person, 'name'>;
15. In TypeScript, what does keyof do?
-
keyofcreates a union of the keys of an object type.
interface Person {
name: string;
age: number;
}
type PersonKeys = keyof Person; // 'name' | 'age'
16. How would you handle type-safe error handling with discriminated unions?
- Discriminated unions allow you to handle different types in a safe way using a common discriminant property.
type Success = { status: "success"; data: string };
type Failure = { status: "failure"; error: string };
type Response = Success | Failure;
function handleResponse(response: Response) {
if (response.status === "success") {
console.log(response.data);
} else {
console.log(response.error);
}
}
17. What are template literal types, and how useful are they?
- Template literal types allow you to create new string types by combining unions of string literals, increasing flexibility in working with string types.
type Greeting = `Hello, ${string}!`;
TypeScript and OOP (Object-Oriented Programming)
18. How does TypeScript use classes? How do these differ from ES6 classes?
- TypeScript classes extend ES6 classes with additional type annotations, access modifiers, and interfaces.
class Person {
private name: string;
constructor(name: string) {
this.name = name;
}
getName(): string {
return this.name;
}
}
19. What are access modifiers (public, private, protected) in TypeScript?
- Access modifiers control the visibility of properties and methods.
publicmeans accessible everywhere,privatewithin the class, andprotectedwithin the class and subclasses.
20. How do abstract classes work in TypeScript, and when should they be used?
- Abstract classes define base classes with incomplete functionality, forcing subclasses to implement specific methods.
abstract class Animal {
abstract sound(): void;
move() {
console.log("Moving...");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
sound() {
console.log("Woof!");
}
}
21. What is the difference between an Interface and an Abstract Class?
- An interface defines a contract (structure) without any implementation, whereas an abstract class can define both abstract methods and concrete methods.
22. How can you describe a class in TypeScript that we create inside a function and return outside?
- You can create and return a class from within a function to provide encapsulation.
function createUser() {
return class User {
constructor(public name: string) {}
};
}
const UserClass = createUser();
const user = new UserClass("John");
TypeScript in React
23. How would you define types for props and state of a React component with TypeScript?
- You can define props and state using interfaces or types.
interface Props {
title: string;
}
interface State {
count: number;
}
class MyComponent extends React.Component<Props, State> {
state: State = { count: 0 };
render() {
return <div>{this.props.title}</div>;
}
}
- To define types for props and state in a functional React component with TypeScript, you would use
interfaceortypetoo. Since functional components don't have internal state like class components, you would type the props directly. However, for state managed by hooks likeuseState, you can also type those.
// Define the props type
interface Props {
title: string;
}
const MyFunctionalComponent: React.FC<Props> = ({ title }) => {
// Define the state with useState and give it a type
const [count, setCount] = React.useState<number>(0);
return (
<div>
<h1>{title}</h1>
<p>Count: {count}</p>
<button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}>Increment</button>
</div>
);
};
24. What is the difference between using interface vs type for props in React components?
- Both are commonly used, but
interfaceis extendable, making it better for props composition, whiletypecan handle more complex unions.
25. How would you type hooks with TypeScript?
- Use types directly to hooks.
const [count, setCount] = useState<number>(0);
26. What's the difference between JSX.Element and React.ReactNode?
-
JSX.Elementrefers to a React element returned by a component, whileReact.ReactNodeincludes anything renderable by React, like strings, numbers, or fragments.
27. How do you type custom hooks in TypeScript?
- Custom hooks are typed using generics, where necessary.
function useCustomHook<T>(initialValue: T): [T, (value: T) => void] {
const [state, setState] = useState(initialValue);
return [state, setState];
}
TypeScript in Larger Projects
28. How would you manage complex types across multiple files in large-scale TypeScript projects?
- Use TypeScript’s module system to split types across files and import them where needed. You can use
index.tsfor better type exports.
// types.ts
export interface User {
id: number;
name: string;
}
// index.ts
export * from './types';
29. How does functional programming in TypeScript differ from other approaches in other languages?
- TypeScript enables functional programming by supporting higher-order functions, immutability, and strong type inference, similar to languages like Haskell or Scala, but retains the flexibility of JavaScript.
30. How would you ensure type safety when working with external services or REST APIs in TypeScript?
- You can use TypeScript’s type system to define the expected API response shape and validate the types when consuming external data.
interface ApiResponse {
userId: number;
id: number;
title: string;
}
async function fetchPost(id: number): Promise<ApiResponse> {
const response = await fetch(`https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/${id}`);
return response.json();
}
Preparing for these questions, studying the topics covered, and reviewing relevant resources can improve your chances of successfully passing the interview.
I look forward to your reactions and comments.💬
Good luck in your interview!🌟
