TypeScript Cheat Sheet (Backend Focused with Comments)
Basic Types
// Basic string, number, boolean types
let username: string = "Alex";
let age: number = 25;
let isAdmin: boolean = true;
// Special types: any (unsafe) and unknown (safe)
let anything: any = "Could be anything";
let unknownValue: unknown = 123; // Must be type-checked before use
Arrays & Tuples
// Array of strings
let users: string[] = ["Alice", "Bob"];
// Alternative syntax for array of numbers
let numbers: Array<number> = [1, 2, 3];
// Tuple: fixed types and length
let userTuple: [string, number] = ["Alice", 30];
Objects & Interfaces
// Define the structure of an object
interface User {
id: string;
name: string;
email: string;
// Create an object that matches the interface
const user: User = {
id: "abc123",
name: "John Doe",
email: "john@example.com"
};
Functions
// Function with typed parameter and return value
function greet(name: string): string {
return `Hello, ${name}`;
// Function that returns nothing (void)
function logMessage(message: string): void {
console.log(message);
Union & Intersection Types
// Union type: can be either string or number
type ID = string | number;
// Intersection type: combines multiple types
interface Address {
city: string;
country: string;
type UserWithAddress = User & Address;
Enums
// Enum for predefined constants
enum Role {
ADMIN = "admin",
USER = "user",
GUEST = "guest"
Literal Types
// Allow only specific string values
type Method = "GET" | "POST" | "PUT" | "DELETE";
Generics
// Function that works with any type
function identity<T>(arg: T): T {
return arg;
// Using the generic function
const result = identity<number>(42);
// Generic interface for API response
interface ApiResponse<T> {
status: "success" | "error";
data: T;
Utility Types
// Partial: make all fields optional
Partial<User>
// Pick: select specific fields from an interface
Pick<User, "id" | "email">
// Omit: remove specific fields from an interface
Omit<User, "email">
Express Request / Response Typing
import { Request, Response } from "express";
// Strongly typed request and response objects
app.post('/login', (req: Request, res: Response) => {
const { email, password } = req.body;
res.send('Logged in');
});
Special Types
// Function that never returns (throws an error)
function throwError(message: string): never {
throw new Error(message);
Common Backend Type Aliases
// Custom type names for clarity
type UserId = string;
type OrderStatus = "pending" | "completed" | "cancelled";
// Interface for login request body
interface LoginBody {
email: string;
password: string;
// Generic API response type
type CreateUserResponse = ApiResponse<User>;
Bonus: Recommended Dev Dependencies for Backend Project
npm install express
npm install -D typescript ts-node @types/node @types/express
typescript -> Type checker and compiler
ts-node -> Run .ts files without compiling manually
@types/node -> Type definitions for Node.js core modules
@types/express -> Type definitions for Express
Quick Tip
Hover over variables in VSCode - TypeScript will show you the type immediately for faster learning!
