When should I use type assertions in TypeScript?

When should I use type assertions in TypeScript?

Type assertions in TypeScript are used when you want to tell the compiler to treat a value as a specific type. This can be useful when you know more about the type of a variable than TypeScript does.

Can you give me an example of type assertions?

Sure! For instance, if you have a variable that is of type 'any', you can assert it to a specific type like this: let value: any = 'Hello'; let strLength: number = (value as string).length;.

Are there any risks associated with using type assertions?

Yes, using type assertions can lead to runtime errors if you're not careful. If you assert a type incorrectly, it can cause your code to behave unexpectedly.

How do type assertions differ from type casting?

Type assertions in TypeScript are similar to type casting in other languages, but they don't change the actual type of the variable; they just inform the compiler about the type you expect.