Learn Generic Methods in Classes

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class DataProcessor {
  processItem<T>(item: T): string {
    return `Processing item: ${item}`;
  }
}

const processor = new DataProcessor();
console.log(processor.processItem<number>(42)); // Processing item: 42
console.log(processor.processItem<string>("hello")); // Processing item: hello

You often need flexibility in your class methods, especially when a method should work with a variety of types. In these situations, you can define a generic method within a class. A generic method allows you to specify a type parameter only for that method, rather than for the entire class. This is particularly useful when only one or a few methods require type flexibility, while the rest of the class remains type-specific.

By contrast, a generic class makes the entire class generic, meaning all properties and methods can use the generic type parameter. You should use a generic class when the type flexibility is needed across the whole class—for example, when storing or managing collections of different types.

Choose a generic method when only a specific method needs to be generic, and use a generic class when the entire class or most of its members need to work with a generic type.

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Section 1. Chapter 16

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Section 1. Chapter 16