What is the difference between generics and union types in TypeScript?

What is the difference between generics and union types in TypeScript?

Generics allow you to create reusable components that work with any data type, while union types let you specify multiple types for a variable.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A generic function might look like function identity<T>(arg: T): T { return arg; }. A union type example is let value: string | number;.

When should I use generics instead of union types?

Use generics when you want to create flexible, reusable code that can handle various types. Use union types when a variable can only be one of several specific types.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Generally, there are no significant performance differences. The choice between them is more about code clarity and design than performance.