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LetsGit.IT/Categories/TypeScript
TypeScriptmedium

What are generics in TypeScript and why use them?

Tags
#generics#types
Back to categoryPractice quiz

Answer

Generics let you write reusable functions, classes, and types that work with different types while preserving type safety (e.g., T, U). They avoid repetition and keep strong typing.

Advanced answer

Deep dive

Expanding on the short answer — what usually matters in practice:

  • Context (tags): generics, types
  • Explain the "why", not just the "what" (intuition + consequences).
  • Trade-offs: what you gain/lose (time, memory, complexity, risk).
  • Edge cases: empty inputs, large inputs, invalid inputs, concurrency.

Examples

A tiny example (an explanation template):

// Example: discuss trade-offs for "what-are-generics-in-typescript-and-why-use-them"
function explain() {
  // Start from the core idea:
  // Generics let you write reusable functions, classes, and types that work with different typ
}

Common pitfalls

  • Too generic: no concrete trade-offs or examples.
  • Mixing average-case and worst-case (e.g., complexity).
  • Ignoring constraints: memory, concurrency, network/disk costs.

Interview follow-ups

  • When would you choose an alternative and why?
  • What production issues show up and how do you diagnose them?
  • How would you test edge cases?

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