The Problem with as in TypeScript: Why It's a Shortcut We Should Avoid

Introduction: Understanding TypeScript and Its Challenges

TypeScript enhances JavaScript by adding stricter typing rules. While JavaScript’s flexibility enables rapid development, it can also lead to runtime errors such as “undefined is not a function” or type mismatches. TypeScript aims to catch these errors during development.

The as keyword in TypeScript creates specific challenges with type assertions. It allows developers to override TypeScript’s type checking, reintroducing the errors TypeScript aims to prevent. When developers assert an any type with a specific interface, runtime errors occur if the object doesn’t match the interface. In codebases, frequent use of as indicates underlying design issues or incomplete type definitions.

The article will examine the pitfalls of overusing as and provide guidelines for more effective TypeScript development, helping developers leverage TypeScript’s strengths while avoiding its potential drawbacks. Readers will explore alternatives to as, such as type guards and generics, and learn when type assertions make sense.

Easy Introduction to TypeScript’s as Keyword

TypeScript is a special version of JavaScript. It adds rules to make coding less error-prone and clearer. But there’s a part of TypeScript, called the as keyword, that’s tricky. In this article, I’ll talk about why as can be a problem.

What is as in TypeScript?

as in TypeScript changes data types. For example:

let let unknownInput: unknownunknownInput: unknown = "Hello, TypeScript!";
let 
let asString: stringasString = let unknownInput: unknownunknownInput as string;

The Problem with as

The best thing about TypeScript is that it finds mistakes in your code before you even run it. But when you use as, you can skip these checks. It’s like telling the computer, “I’m sure this is right,” even if we might be wrong.

Using as too much is risky. It can cause errors in parts of your code where TypeScript could have helped. Imagine driving with a blindfold; that’s what it’s like.

Why Using as Can Be Bad

• Skipping Checks: TypeScript is great because it checks your code. Using as means you skip these helpful checks.
• Making Code Unclear: When you use as, it can make your code hard to understand. Others (or even you later) might not know why you used as.
• Errors Happen: If you use as wrong, your program will crash.

Better Ways Than as

• Type Guards: TypeScript has type guards. They help you check types.

// Let's declare a variable of unknown type
let let unknownInput: unknownunknownInput: unknown;

// Now we'll use a type guard with typeof
if (typeof let unknownInput: unknownunknownInput === "string") {
    // TypeScript now knows unknownInput is a string
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log(let unknownInput: stringunknownInput.String.toUpperCase(): string
Converts all the alphabetic characters in a string to uppercase.toUpperCase());
} else {
    // Here, TypeScript still considers it unknown
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log(let unknownInput: unknownunknownInput);
}

• Better Type Definitions: Developers reach for as because of incomplete type definitions. Improving type definitions eliminates this need.
• Your Own Type Guards: For complicated types, you can make your own checks.

// Define our type guard function
function function isValidString(unknownInput: unknown): unknownInput is stringisValidString(unknownInput: unknownunknownInput: unknown): unknownInput: unknownunknownInput is string {
    return typeof unknownInput: unknownunknownInput === "string" && unknownInput: stringunknownInput.String.trim(): string
Removes the leading and trailing white space and line terminator characters from a string.trim().String.length: number
Returns the length of a String object.length > 0;
}

// Example usage
const const someInput: unknownsomeInput: unknown = "Hello, World!";
const const emptyInput: unknownemptyInput: unknown = "";
const const numberInput: unknownnumberInput: unknown = 42;

if (function isValidString(unknownInput: unknown): unknownInput is stringisValidString(const someInput: unknownsomeInput)) {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log(const someInput: stringsomeInput.String.toUpperCase(): string
Converts all the alphabetic characters in a string to uppercase.toUpperCase());
} else {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log("Input is not a valid string");
}

if (function isValidString(unknownInput: unknown): unknownInput is stringisValidString(const emptyInput: unknownemptyInput)) {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log("This won't be reached");
} else {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log("Empty input is not a valid string");
}

if (function isValidString(unknownInput: unknown): unknownInput is stringisValidString(const numberInput: unknownnumberInput)) {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log("This won't be reached");
} else {
    var console: Console
The `console` module provides a simple debugging console that is similar to the
JavaScript console mechanism provided by web browsers.

The module exports two specific components:

* A `Console` class with methods such as `console.log()`, `console.error()` and `console.warn()` that can be used to write to any Node.js stream.
* A global `console` instance configured to write to [`process.stdout`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstdout) and
[`process.stderr`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#processstderr). The global `console` can be used without importing the `node:console` module.

_**Warning**_: The global console object's methods are neither consistently
synchronous like the browser APIs they resemble, nor are they consistently
asynchronous like all other Node.js streams. See the [`note on process I/O`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/process.html#a-note-on-process-io) for
more information.

Example using the global `console`:

```js
console.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to stdout
console.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints error message and stack trace to stderr:
//   Error: Whoops, something bad happened
//     at [eval]:5:15
//     at Script.runInThisContext (node:vm:132:18)
//     at Object.runInThisContext (node:vm:309:38)
//     at node:internal/process/execution:77:19
//     at [eval]-wrapper:6:22
//     at evalScript (node:internal/process/execution:76:60)
//     at node:internal/main/eval_string:23:3

const name = 'Will Robinson';
console.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to stderr
```

Example using the `Console` class:

```js
const out = getStreamSomehow();
const err = getStreamSomehow();
const myConsole = new console.Console(out, err);

myConsole.log('hello world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.log('hello %s', 'world');
// Prints: hello world, to out
myConsole.error(new Error('Whoops, something bad happened'));
// Prints: [Error: Whoops, something bad happened], to err

const name = 'Will Robinson';
myConsole.warn(`Danger ${name}! Danger!`);
// Prints: Danger Will Robinson! Danger!, to err
```
@see[source](https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v22.x/lib/console.js)console.Console.log(message?: any, ...optionalParams: any[]): void (+1 overload)
Prints to `stdout` with newline. Multiple arguments can be passed, with the
first used as the primary message and all additional used as substitution
values similar to [`printf(3)`](http://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/printf.3.html)
(the arguments are all passed to [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args)).

```js
const count = 5;
console.log('count: %d', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
console.log('count:', count);
// Prints: count: 5, to stdout
```

See [`util.format()`](https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v22.x/api/util.html#utilformatformat-args) for more information.
@sincev0.1.100log("Number input is not a valid string");
}

// Hover over `result` to see the inferred type
const 
const result: string[]result = [const someInput: unknownsomeInput, const emptyInput: unknownemptyInput, const numberInput: unknownnumberInput].Array<unknown>.filter<string>(predicate: (value: unknown, index: number, array: unknown[]) => value is string, thisArg?: any): string[] (+1 overload)
Returns the elements of an array that meet the condition specified in a callback function.
@parampredicate A function that accepts up to three arguments. The filter method calls the predicate function one time for each element in the array.@paramthisArg An object to which the this keyword can refer in the predicate function. If thisArg is omitted, undefined is used as the this value.filter(function isValidString(unknownInput: unknown): unknownInput is stringisValidString);

Cases Where Using as is Okay

The as keyword fits specific situations:

1. Integrating with Non-Typed Code: When working with JavaScript libraries or external APIs without types, as helps assign types to external data. Type guards remain the better choice, offering more robust type checking that aligns with TypeScript’s goals.

2. Casting in Tests: In unit tests, when mocking or setting up test data, as helps shape data into the required form.

In these situations, verify that as solves a genuine need rather than masking improper type handling.

Conclusion

as serves a purpose in TypeScript, but better alternatives exist. By choosing proper type handling over shortcuts, we create clearer, more reliable code. Let’s embrace TypeScript’s strengths and write better code.