Builder pattern with generics in Typescript

Introduction

The builder pattern helps you create complex objects step-by-step. Using generics makes it flexible for different types.

When you want to create objects with many optional parts.

When you want to reuse the building steps for different object types.

When you want to avoid long constructor parameter lists.

When you want clear and readable code for object creation.

When you want to enforce type safety while building objects.

Syntax

Typescript

class Builder<T> {
  private object: Partial<T> = {};

  set<K extends keyof T>(key: K, value: T[K]): this {
    this.object[key] = value;
    return this;
  }

  build(): T {
    return this.object as T;
  }
}

Partial<T> means the object can have some or all properties of T.

The set method uses generics to ensure the key and value match the object type.

Examples

Builds a Person object by setting name and age.

Typescript

interface Person {
  name: string;
  age: number;
}

const personBuilder = new Builder<Person>();
personBuilder.set('name', 'Alice').set('age', 30);
const person = personBuilder.build();

Builds a Car object with required properties. Optional properties can be skipped.

Typescript

interface Car {
  brand: string;
  year: number;
  color?: string;
}

const carBuilder = new Builder<Car>();
carBuilder.set('brand', 'Toyota').set('year', 2022);
const car = carBuilder.build();

Sample Program

This program builds a House object step-by-step using the builder pattern with generics. It sets windows, doors, and garage presence, then prints the final object.

Typescript

interface House {
  windows: number;
  doors: number;
  hasGarage: boolean;
}

class Builder<T> {
  private object: Partial<T> = {};

  set<K extends keyof T>(key: K, value: T[K]): this {
    this.object[key] = value;
    return this;
  }

  build(): T {
    return this.object as T;
  }
}

const houseBuilder = new Builder<House>();
houseBuilder
  .set('windows', 4)
  .set('doors', 2)
  .set('hasGarage', true);

const house = houseBuilder.build();

console.log(house);

Important Notes

Using generics keeps the builder flexible and type-safe for any object shape.

The Partial<T> type allows building the object piece by piece.

Always call build() to get the final object.

Summary

The builder pattern helps create complex objects step-by-step.

Generics make the builder reusable for different object types.

TypeScript ensures keys and values match the object properties.

Practice

1.

What is the main advantage of using the builder pattern with generics in TypeScript?

easy

A. It automatically generates UI components from objects.

B. It makes the code run faster by skipping type checks.

C. It allows creating different object types step-by-step with type safety.

D. It replaces all functions with classes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand builder pattern purpose

   The builder pattern helps create complex objects step-by-step, improving clarity and flexibility.

2. Step 2: Role of generics in TypeScript

   Generics allow the builder to work with any object type while keeping type safety, ensuring keys and values match.

3. Final Answer:

   It allows creating different object types step-by-step with type safety. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Builder + generics = flexible, safe object creation [OK]

Hint: Generics + builder = reusable and type-safe object creation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking builder auto-generates UI
• Believing it skips type checks
• Confusing builder with replacing functions

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to declare a generic builder class in TypeScript?

class Builder<T> {
  private obj: T;
  constructor() {
    this.obj = {} as T;
  }
  set(key: keyof T, value: T[keyof T]): this {
    this.obj[key] = value;
    return this;
  }
  build(): T {
    return this.obj;
  }
}

easy

A. class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } }

B. class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = new T(); } }

C. class Builder { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } }

D. class Builder<T> { private obj: any; constructor() { this.obj = {}; } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check generic class declaration

   class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } } correctly declares a generic class with <T> and initializes obj as {} as T.

2. Step 2: Identify incorrect initializations

   class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = new T(); } } tries new T() which is invalid in TypeScript. class Builder { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } } misses generic <T>. class Builder<T> { private obj: any; constructor() { this.obj = {}; } } uses any losing type safety.

3. Final Answer:

   class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Generic class with {} as T init = class Builder<T> { private obj: T; constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; } } [OK]

Hint: Use {} as T to initialize generic object safely [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to instantiate generic type with new
• Forgetting to declare generic parameter <T>
• Using any instead of generic type

3.

What will be the output of this code?

class Builder<T> {
  private obj: T;
  constructor() { this.obj = {} as T; }
  set(key: keyof T, value: T[keyof T]): this {
    this.obj[key] = value;
    return this;
  }
  build(): T { return this.obj; }
}

interface Person { name: string; age: number; }
const person = new Builder<Person>()
  .set('name', 'Alice')
  .set('age', 30)
  .build();
console.log(person);

medium

A. { name: 'Alice', age: 30 }

B. { name: 'Alice' }

C. Error: Cannot assign to 'name' of type 'T'

D. {}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand builder usage

   The builder sets 'name' to 'Alice' and 'age' to 30 on an empty object typed as Person.

2. Step 2: Check final build output

   The build() method returns the object with both properties set, so output is { name: 'Alice', age: 30 }.

3. Final Answer:

   { name: 'Alice', age: 30 } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Builder sets keys correctly = { name: 'Alice', age: 30 } [OK]

Hint: Builder sets keys stepwise, final object has all properties [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting partial object missing keys
• Thinking assignment causes error
• Assuming empty object returned

4.

Identify the error in this builder class and select the fix:

class Builder<T> {
  private obj: T;
  constructor() { this.obj = {}; }
  set(key: keyof T, value: T[keyof T]): this {
    this.obj[key] = value;
    return this;
  }
  build(): T { return this.obj; }
}

medium

A. Use any type for obj instead of T.

B. Change set method to accept key: string.

C. Remove generic <T> from class declaration.

D. Initialize obj as {} as T in constructor.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify initialization error

   Assigning {} directly to obj: T causes a type error because {} is not guaranteed to be T.

2. Step 2: Correct initialization with type assertion

   Using {} as T tells TypeScript to treat empty object as type T safely during construction.

3. Final Answer:

   Initialize obj as {} as T in constructor. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use {} as T to fix generic object init [OK]

Hint: Use type assertion {} as T to initialize generic objects [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning {} directly without assertion
• Changing key type to string loses type safety
• Removing generics breaks flexibility

5.

You want to build a generic builder that only allows setting properties defined in the object type and prevents setting undefined keys. Which TypeScript feature helps enforce this at compile time?

hard

A. Using any type for keys to allow flexibility.

B. Using keyof T as the key type in the set method.

C. Using unknown type for values to accept any value.

D. Using Partial<T> for the object storage.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand key restriction need

   To prevent setting keys not in the object type, the key parameter must be limited to valid keys.

2. Step 2: Use keyof T for key type

   keyof T represents all valid keys of type T, so using it restricts keys to only those defined in T.

3. Final Answer:

   Using keyof T as the key type in the set method. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   keyof T restricts keys to valid properties [OK]

Hint: Use keyof T to limit keys to object properties [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using any loses key restriction
• Using unknown does not restrict keys
• Partial<T> affects values, not keys