diff --git a/SUMMARY.md b/SUMMARY.md index 5098150..c0e61a6 100644 --- a/SUMMARY.md +++ b/SUMMARY.md @@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ * [Plugins and Utils](overview/plugins-and-utils.md) * [For Enterprises](overview/for-enterprises.md) * [First setup help](overview/first-setup-help.md) +* [TypeScript](overview/typescript.md) ## Translation Function diff --git a/overview/typescript.md b/overview/typescript.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..226d488 --- /dev/null +++ b/overview/typescript.md @@ -0,0 +1,142 @@ +# TypeScript + +i18next has embedded type definitions. If you want to enhance IDE Experience and prevent errors (such as type coercion), you should follow the instructions below in order to get the t function fully-type safe (keys and return type). + +{% hint style="info" %} This is an optional feature and may affect the **compilation time** depending on your project's size. If you opt not to leverage the type enhancements suggested here, you can ignore this section. {% endhint %} + +## Create a declaration file + +TypeScript definitions for i18next can be extended by using [Type Augmentation](https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/declaration-merging.html#module-augmentation) and [Merging Interfaces](https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/declaration-merging.html#merging-interfaces). So the first step is creating a declaration file (`i18next.d.ts`), for example: + +```typescript +// import the original type declarations +import "i18next"; +// import all namespaces (for the default language, only) +import ns1 from "locales/en/ns1.json"; +import ns2 from "locales/en/ns2.json"; + +declare module "i18next" { + // Extend CustomTypeOptions + interface CustomTypeOptions { + // custom namespace type, if you changed it + defaultNS: "ns1"; + // custom resources type + resources: { + ns1: typeof ns1; + ns2: typeof ns2; + }; + // other + } +} +``` + +Or, if you want to include all namespaces at once, you can use our preferred approach: + +**`i18n.ts`** + +```typescript +export const defaultNS = "ns1"; +export const resources = { + en: { + ns1, + ns2, + }, +} as const; + +i18n.use(initReactI18next).init({ + lng: "en", + ns: ["ns1", "ns2"], + defaultNS, + resources, +}); +``` + +**`i18next.d.ts`** + +```typescript +import { resources, defaultNS } from "./i18n"; + +declare module "i18next" { + interface CustomTypeOptions { + defaultNS: typeof defaultNS; + resources: typeof resources["en"]; + } +} +``` + +**We recommend creating a `@types` directory under `src` or above it and placing all your type declarations there. E.g.: `@types/i18next.d.ts`** + +### Custom Type Options + +We provide a few options that can improve TypeScript for `i18next`. All options come with default values, and if you want to change them, you just need to add them under `CustomTypeOptions` interface in your i18next type declaration file (`i18next.d.ts`). + +| option | default | description | +| ------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | +| defaultNS | 'translation' | Default namespace. This is more practical in React applications, so when you call `useTranslation()` hooks without passing the namespace, it will infer the types for the `translation` namespace. | +| resources | object | Resources to initialize with. This is the most important option that is used to infer the appropriate keys and return types. | +| keySeparator | '.' | Char to separate keys. | +| nsSeparator | ':' | Char to split namespace from key. | +| returnNull | true | Allows null values as valid translation. | +| returnEmptyString | true | Allows empty string as valid translation. | +| jsonFormat | 'v4' | Json Format Version - V4 allows plural suffixes. See [here](../translation-function/plurals.md) for more information about Plurals. | +| allowObjectInHTMLChildren | false | Flag that allows HTML elements to receive objects. This is only useful for React applications where you pass objects to HTML elements so they can be replaced to their respective interpolation values (mostly with Trans component). | + +## Troubleshooting + +### Slow compilation time + +In order to fully type the `t` function, we recursively map all nested keys from your primary locale files or objects. Depending on the number of keys your project have, the compilation time could be noticeably affected. If this is negatively influencing your productivity, this feature might not be the best choice for you. If needed, you can always open an issue on Github to get some help from us. + +### Type error - template literal + +If you face this issue: + +> Argument of type 'string' is not assignable to parameter of type ... + +When using the following approach (template literal with an expression): + +```typescript +// with i18next +i18next.t(`${expression}.title`); + +// with react-i18next +const { t } = useTranslation(); +t(`${expression}.title`); +``` + +Or: + +```typescript +// with react-i18next +const { t } = useTranslation(`${ns}Default`); +``` + +TypeScript will lose the literal value, and it will infer the `key` as string, which will cause to throw the error above. In this case, you will need to assert the template string `as const`, like this: + +```typescript +// with i18next +i18next.t(`${expression}.title` as const); + +// with react-i18next +const { t } = useTranslation(); +t(`${expression}.title` as const); +``` + +For now, this is the only possible workaround. This is a TypeScript limitation that will be address at some point in the future. + +### Type error - excessively deep and possibly infinite +If you face this issue whenever calling the `t` function: + +> TS2589: Type instantiation is excessively deep and possibly infinite. + +That probably means you did not set up your type declaration correctly, so review your configuration or check [here](https://github.com/i18next/react-i18next/issues?q=is%3Aissue+Type+instantiation+is+excessively+deep+and+possibly+infinite) for some similar cases that may help you. If needed, you can always open an issue on Github to get some help from us. + +### Tagged Template Literal (`react-i18next` only) + +If you are using the tagged template literal syntax for the `t` function, like this: + +```typescript +t`key1.key2`; +``` + +The `keys` and `return` type inference will not work, because [TemplateStringsArray](https://github.com/microsoft/TypeScript/issues/33304) does not accept generic types yet. You can use Tagged Template Literal syntax, but it will accept any string as argument.