Use mapped types to create new types

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 89 views

Introduction

When working with classes in TypeScript, it's not uncommon to encounter situations where you need to dynamically add or modify properties. This can be particularly useful when dealing with complex data structures or when you need to dynamically generate properties based on certain conditions. In this article, we'll explore how to TypeScript about a class's dynamic properties, focusing on the use of mapped types and dynamic property creation.

Understanding Mapped Types

Before diving into the specifics of dynamic property creation, let's take a brief look at mapped types in TypeScript. Mapped types are a powerful feature that allows you to create new types by transforming existing types. They're particularly useful when working with complex data structures or when you need to create new types based on existing ones.

In TypeScript, mapped types are defined using the as keyword followed by a type transformation. For example, consider the following mapped type:

type Foo = {
  bar: number;
  baz: string;
};

type Bar = {
  [K in keyof Foo]: Foo[K];
};

// Bar is equivalent to:
// type Bar = {
//   bar: number;
//   baz: string;
// };

In this example, we define a mapped type Bar that transforms the Foo type by creating new properties with the same names as the original properties, but with the same types.

Dynamic Property Creation

Now that we've covered mapped types, let's move on to dynamic property creation. As mentioned earlier, dynamic property creation is a powerful feature that allows you to add or modify properties at runtime. In TypeScript, you can use the Object.defineProperty() method to dynamically create properties on an object.

Here's an example of how you can use Object.defineProperty() to create a dynamic property:

class Foo {
  bar = 1;

  constructor() {
    for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(this)) {
      Object.defineProperty(this, '$' + key, { value });
    }

    this.$bar; // <--- This will be undefined
  }
}

In this example, we define a class Foo with a single property bar. In the constructor, we use a for...of loop to iterate over the object's properties and create new properties with the same names as the original properties, but with a prefix $.

However, as you can see, the property $bar is still undefined. This is because the Object.defineProperty() method only sets the property's value, but doesn't create a getter or setter for the property.

Using Mapped Types for Dynamic Property Creation

Now that we've covered dynamic property creation, let's see how we can use mapped types to create dynamic properties. As mentioned earlier, mapped types are a powerful feature that allows you to create new types by transforming existing types.

Here's an example of how you can use mapped types to create dynamic properties:

type Foo = {
  bar: number;
  baz: string;
};

type DynamicFoo = {
  [K in keyof Foo]: Foo[K];
};

class Foo {
  bar = 1;

  constructor() {
    for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(this)) {
      Object.defineProperty(this, '$' + key, { value });
    }

    this.$bar; // <--- This will be a number
  }
}

In this example, we define a mapped type DynamicFoo that transforms the Foo type by creating new properties with the same names as the original properties, but with the same types.

We then define a class Foo with a single property bar. In the constructor, we use a for...of loop to iterate over the object's properties and create new properties with the same names as the original properties, but with a prefix $.

As you can see, the property $bar is now a number, thanks to the mapped type DynamicFoo.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to TypeScript about a class's dynamic properties, focusing on the use of mapped types and dynamic property creation. We've seen how mapped types can be used to create new types by transforming existing types, and how dynamic property creation can be used to add or modify properties at runtime.

By combining these two features, you can create powerful and flexible classes that can adapt to changing requirements. Whether you're working on a complex data structure or need to dynamically generate properties based on certain conditions, mapped types and dynamic property creation are essential tools to have in your TypeScript toolkit.

Example Use Cases

Here are some example use cases for the techniques discussed in this article:

Dynamic property creation: You can use dynamic property creation to add or modify properties at runtime. For example, you can create a class that has a dynamic property that changes based on certain conditions.
Mapped types: You can use mapped types to create new types by transforming existing types. For example, you can create a mapped type that transforms a complex data structure into a simpler one.
TypeScript about a class's dynamic properties: You can use the techniques discussed in this article to TypeScript about a class's dynamic properties. For example, you can use mapped types to create dynamic properties and then use dynamic property creation to add or modify those properties.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when working with mapped types and dynamic property creation:

Use mapped types to create new types: Mapped types are a powerful feature that allows you to create new types by transforming existing types. Use them to create new types that are easier to work with.
Use dynamic property creation to add or modify properties: Dynamic property creation is a powerful feature that allows you to add or modify properties at runtime. Use it to create dynamic properties that change based on certain conditions.
Be mindful of type safety: When working with mapped types and dynamic property creation, be mindful of type safety. Make sure that the types you create are safe and don't introduce any type-related errors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mapped types and dynamic property creation are powerful features in TypeScript that can help you create flexible and adaptable classes. By combining these two features, you can create powerful and flexible classes that can adapt to changing requirements.

Whether you're working on a complex data structure or need to dynamically generate properties based on certain conditions, mapped types and dynamic property creation are essential tools to have in your TypeScript toolkit.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to TypeScript about a class's dynamic properties, focusing on the use of mapped types and dynamic property creation. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic.

Q: What are mapped types in TypeScript?

A: Mapped types are a powerful feature in TypeScript that allows you to create new types by transforming existing types. They're particularly useful when working with complex data structures or when you need to create new types based on existing ones.

Q: How do I use mapped types to create dynamic properties?

A: To use mapped types to create dynamic properties, you can define a mapped type that transforms the original type by creating new properties with the same names as the original properties, but with the same types. You can then use this mapped type to create a new class that has the dynamic properties.

Q: What is dynamic property creation in TypeScript?

A: Dynamic property creation is a powerful feature in TypeScript that allows you to add or modify properties at runtime. You can use the Object.defineProperty() method to dynamically create properties on an object.

Q: How do I use dynamic property creation to add or modify properties?

A: To use dynamic property creation to add or modify properties, you can use the Object.defineProperty() method to dynamically create properties on an object. You can then use the Object.keys() method to get an array of the object's properties and iterate over it to add or modify properties.

Q: What are some best practices for working with mapped types and dynamic property creation?

A: Some best practices for working with mapped types and dynamic property creation include:

Using mapped types to create new types that are easier to work with.
Using dynamic property creation to add or modify properties that change based on certain conditions.
Being mindful of type safety when working with mapped types and dynamic property creation.

Q: Can I use mapped types and dynamic property creation together?

A: Yes, you can use mapped types and dynamic property creation together to create powerful and flexible classes. By combining these two features, you can create classes that can adapt to changing requirements.

Q: What are some common use cases for mapped types and dynamic property creation?

A: Some common use cases for mapped types and dynamic property creation include:

Creating complex data structures that can be easily transformed into simpler ones.
Dynamically generating properties based on certain conditions.
Creating classes that can adapt to changing requirements.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with mapped types and dynamic property creation?

A: To troubleshoot issues with mapped types and dynamic property creation, you can try the following:

Check the TypeScript documentation for any errors or warnings related to mapped types and dynamic property creation.
Use the TypeScript compiler to check for any type-related errors.
Use the console.log() method to print out the values of variables and objects to see if they match the expected values.

Q: Can I use mapped types and dynamic property creation in production code?

A: Yes, you can use mapped types and dynamic property creation in production code. However, you should be mindful of type safety and make sure that the types you create are safe and don't introduce any type-related errors.

Q: What are some resources for learning more about mapped types and dynamic property creation?

A: Some resources for learning more about mapped types and dynamic property creation include:

The TypeScript documentation.
Online tutorials and courses.
Books and articles on TypeScript and JavaScript.