10 .d.ts (TypeScript Declaration File) Best Practices

TypeScript is a popular programming language that allows developers to write code that is easier to read and maintain. It also provides developers with the ability to write type declarations for their code, which are stored in .d.ts files. These files are used to provide type information to other developers, and they can be a great tool for improving the readability and maintainability of your code.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for writing .d.ts files. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your code is as readable and maintainable as possible.

1. Ensure that all types are defined in the .d.ts file

When using TypeScript Declaration Files, it is important to define all types in the .d.ts file because this helps ensure that the code is type-safe and consistent across different files. This means that any changes made to a type will be reflected throughout the entire project, making it easier to maintain and debug. Additionally, defining all types in the .d.ts file makes it easier for other developers to understand the codebase since they can quickly see what types are being used.

To ensure that all types are defined in the .d.ts file, developers should use the “type” keyword when declaring new types. This allows them to easily create custom types that can be reused throughout the project. Additionally, developers should also make sure to include comments with each type definition so that other developers can quickly understand what the type represents. Finally, developers should also take advantage of existing type definitions from popular libraries such as React or Angular to avoid having to manually define every type.

2. Keep type definitions DRY and avoid duplication

DRY stands for “Don’t Repeat Yourself”, and it’s a programming principle that encourages developers to reduce repetition of information. This is especially important when using .d.ts files, as they are used to define the types of variables, functions, classes, interfaces, etc., in TypeScript code. If type definitions are duplicated, then there is a risk of introducing inconsistencies or errors into the codebase.

To keep type definitions DRY and avoid duplication, developers should use abstractions such as generics, union types, intersection types, and mapped types. Generics allow developers to create reusable type definitions by parameterizing them with other types. Union types let developers combine multiple types into one, while intersection types let them combine two or more types into a single type. Finally, mapped types let developers create new types from existing ones by mapping over each property.

Using these abstractions helps ensure that type definitions remain consistent throughout the codebase, which reduces the chances of introducing bugs or errors. It also makes the code easier to maintain and understand, since all related type definitions can be found in one place.

3. Prefer using interfaces over classes when defining types

Interfaces are a great way to define types in TypeScript because they allow for the definition of complex structures without having to create classes. This is especially useful when defining types that don’t need any implementation logic, such as data models or configuration objects. Interfaces also provide an easy way to extend existing types by adding additional properties and methods.

Using interfaces instead of classes also helps keep .d.ts files clean and organized. Since interfaces can be defined separately from classes, it’s easier to separate out type definitions from implementation details. This makes it easier to read and maintain the codebase since all the type definitions are in one place.

Additionally, using interfaces over classes allows for better reusability. Interfaces can be used across multiple projects, while classes are usually tied to specific implementations. This means that if you have a type definition that needs to be shared between different projects, it’s much easier to do so with an interface than with a class.

4. Avoid using any as a type definition

Using any as a type definition is not recommended because it defeats the purpose of using TypeScript in the first place. Any allows for implicit type conversion, which can lead to unexpected behavior and errors that are difficult to debug. It also makes code less readable and maintainable since it does not provide any information about what types are expected or returned from functions.

Instead of using any, developers should use explicit type definitions such as string, number, boolean, etc. This will make the code more predictable and easier to read and understand. Additionally, it will help catch potential bugs early on by providing compile-time checks.

It’s also important to note that when writing .d.ts files, you should avoid using any as a type definition even if the underlying JavaScript code uses it. Instead, try to infer the correct type from the context and use an appropriate type definition instead. This will ensure that your .d.ts file provides accurate type information and helps other developers who may be working with the same codebase.

5. Make sure to include all relevant properties of an object

When writing a .d.ts file, it is important to include all relevant properties of an object in order to ensure that the type definitions are accurate and complete. This helps to prevent errors from occurring when using the types defined in the declaration file. Additionally, including all relevant properties makes the code more readable and easier to understand for other developers who may be working with the same codebase.

To make sure all relevant properties are included, it is best practice to use TypeScript’s built-in type inference feature. This allows the compiler to automatically infer the types of variables based on their usage within the code. By leveraging this feature, developers can quickly identify any missing properties or incorrect types that need to be added to the .d.ts file.

It is also important to keep the .d.ts file up to date as changes are made to the codebase. This ensures that the type definitions remain accurate and consistent across the entire project. To do this, developers should regularly review the .d.ts file and update it accordingly.

6. Include comments for each property or method

Comments are a great way to provide additional information about the code, such as what it does and how it works. This is especially important for .d.ts files because they are used to describe the shape of an object or interface in TypeScript. By including comments, developers can quickly understand the purpose of each property or method without having to read through the entire file.

When adding comments to a .d.ts file, it’s best to use JSDoc-style syntax. This allows developers to easily add descriptions, parameters, return values, and other useful information that will help them better understand the code. Additionally, this style of commenting makes it easier to generate documentation from the .d.ts file.

7. If possible, use TypeScript’s built-in type aliases

Type aliases are a way to give a name to a type, and they can be used in place of any other type. This is especially useful when dealing with complex types that would otherwise require long and difficult-to-read type definitions. By using type aliases, the code becomes much more readable and maintainable.

Using type aliases also helps to keep .d.ts files organized. Instead of having multiple lines of complex type definitions scattered throughout the file, all of the type definitions can be grouped together at the top of the file. This makes it easier to find and modify existing type definitions as needed.

Additionally, TypeScript’s built-in type aliases provide an extra layer of safety by ensuring that only valid types are used. If an invalid type is used, the compiler will throw an error and alert the developer to the issue. This helps to prevent bugs from slipping through into production code.

8. When exporting multiple declarations, use export * from ‘./my-file’

Using the export * from ‘./my-file’ syntax allows for a more organized and efficient way to export multiple declarations. This is because it eliminates the need to list out each individual declaration that needs to be exported, which can become tedious when there are many declarations. Instead, all of the declarations in the file can be exported at once with this single line of code.

The syntax also helps keep the .d.ts files clean and readable by reducing clutter. It makes it easier to find what you’re looking for since all of the exports are grouped together in one place. Additionally, it reduces the risk of typos or other errors that could occur if each declaration was listed individually.

9. Follow the naming conventions of the library you are declaring

Naming conventions help to ensure that the code is consistent and easy to read. This makes it easier for other developers to understand what your code does, as well as making it easier to debug any issues that may arise. Additionally, following a library’s naming conventions helps to avoid potential conflicts with existing code or libraries.

When declaring .d.ts files, you should use the same naming convention as the library you are declaring. For example, if the library uses camelCase for its variables, then you should also use camelCase in your declaration file. Similarly, if the library uses PascalCase for classes, then you should use PascalCase in your declaration file. By doing this, you can ensure that your code is consistent with the library and avoids any potential conflicts.

It is also important to follow the library’s naming conventions when creating new types. If the library has a specific type name for something, then you should use that name instead of inventing your own. This will make it easier for other developers to understand your code and reduce the chances of introducing bugs due to conflicting names.

10. Use triple slash directives (///) to add references to other files

The /// directive is used to reference other files in a TypeScript project. It allows the compiler to locate and include any external dependencies that are needed for the compilation process. This helps ensure that all of the necessary code is included when compiling, which can help prevent errors due to missing references.

Using triple slash directives also makes it easier to keep track of what files are being referenced. By adding the references at the top of each file, they are easy to find and update if needed. This can be especially helpful when working with large projects that have many different files and dependencies.