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implementing TypeScript Class Generics and Default Props in a React Component

👀 Views: 18 💬 Answers: 1 📅 Created: 2025-06-14
typescript react generics

I need help solving I'm getting frustrated with I've looked through the documentation and I'm still confused about I'm working with a frustrating scenario where my TypeScript generic class is not behaving as expected when used with default props in a React component..... I have a generic class that’s meant to handle different data types, but when I try to instantiate it in a component with default props, I get a type behavior. Here’s the class definition: ```typescript class DataHandler<T> { private data: T; constructor(data: T) { this.data = data; } getData(): T { return this.data; } } ``` And I’m using it in a React functional component like this: ```typescript interface Props<T> { initialData: T; } const MyComponent = <T,>({ initialData = {} as T }: Props<T>) => { const handler = new DataHandler(initialData); return <div>{JSON.stringify(handler.getData())}</div>; }; ``` The scenario arises when I try to use this component without providing the `initialData` prop. TypeScript gives me the behavior: ``` Argument of type 'undefined' is not assignable to parameter of type 'T'. ``` I thought using the default value of `initialData = {} as T` would handle this, but it seems to be causing more confusion than it’s solving. I've tried changing the default value to `null` and various other types, but it’s still not resolving the type behavior. What’s the best way to handle default props in a generic class context like this without running into type issues? Is there a better approach to define the default value for `initialData` while retaining strict typing? I'm using TypeScript 4.5 and React 17. Any insights or solutions would be greatly appreciated. My team is using Typescript for this desktop app. Thanks in advance! My development environment is Ubuntu 20.04. Is there a better approach? I'm working with Typescript in a Docker container on Windows 10. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.