🛠️ Type vs Interface in TypeScript: What Every Frontend Developer Should Know

As TypeScript continues to dominate frontend development, the "Type vs Interface" debate remains a hot topic. While both are used to define object shapes and ensure type safety, each has unique use cases. Let’s break it down simply.

What is a Type?

A type in TypeScript is a way to define the shape of an object, union, or primitive. It’s versatile and can represent complex types or a combination of types.

Example:

What is an Interface?

An interface is also used to define object shapes but is more focused on objects and classes. It’s extendable and great for object-oriented designs.

Example:

Key Differences

When to Use What?

• Use Type for:
• Primitives, unions, or complex types.
• Cases requiring flexibility and composability.
• Use Interface for:
• Object shapes or class designs.
• Scenarios requiring declaration merging or extendability.

Real-World Example

Let’s see both in action:

Using Type:

type Role = 'Admin' | 'User';

type User = { name: string; role: Role; };

Using Interface:

interface User { name: string; role: 'Admin' | 'User'; }

Both achieve the same goal, but type offers more flexibility, while interface shines in structured designs.

💡 Pro Tip: Use interface for object types and type for everything else. This keeps your codebase clean and predictable.

Have you faced a situation where you struggled to pick between type and interface? Drop your thoughts below!

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