Avoid Including null or undefined in Type Aliases

Overview

Type aliases should represent something, not "something or nothing."

When you read User, you expect a user - not maybe-a-user. Include null explicitly at usage sites instead of hiding it in type aliases.

When to Use This Skill

• Defining type aliases
• Naming types that include null
• Understanding confusing nullability
• Designing function parameters

The Iron Rule

Type aliases should represent valid values.
Use Type | null explicitly, not NullableType.

Remember:

• User should always be a user
• User | null is explicit about nullability
• Hidden nullability confuses readers
• Properties in objects can be optional/nullable

Detection: Hidden Nullability

// Is user nullable? Can't tell from usage
function getComments(comments: Comment[], user: User) {
  return comments.filter(c => c.userId === user?.id);
}

If the type is defined like this:

type User = { id: string; name: string; } | null;

Then the optional chain ?. is needed. But readers can't tell without checking the definition.

Better: Explicit Nullability

type User = { id: string; name: string; };

// Now nullability is visible at the usage site
function getComments(comments: Comment[], user: User | null) {
  return comments.filter(c => c.userId === user?.id);
}

Or if user is required:

function getComments(comments: Comment[], user: User) {
  return comments.filter(c => c.userId === user.id);
}

If You Must Include null

Use an explicit name:

// Bad: hidden null
type User = { id: string } | null;

// Better: explicit in name
type NullableUser = { id: string } | null;

// Best: no alias, explicit at usage
type User = { id: string };
function fn(user: User | null) { ... }

Nested Nullability is OK

This rule applies to the top level of type aliases. Nullable properties inside objects are fine:

// OK: nullable property in object
interface BirthdayMap {
  [name: string]: Date | undefined;
}

// BAD: nullable at top level
type BirthdayMap = {
  [name: string]: Date | undefined;
} | null;

Optional Properties

Optional properties are similar to nullable ones:

interface User {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  email?: string;  // OK: optional property
}

But consider Items 33 and 37 for guidance on when optional properties are appropriate.

Why This Matters

Code Readability

// What does this mean?
function processUser(user: User) { ... }

// If User includes null, you'd expect:
function processUser(user: User) {
  if (!user) return;  // But why? Isn't user required?
}

// Explicit is clearer:
function processUser(user: User | null) {
  if (!user) return;  // Ah, it might be null!
}

Refactoring Safety

// If User includes null, this might crash:
function processUser(user: User) {
  console.log(user.name);  // Runtime error if null
}

// With explicit typing, TypeScript catches it:
function processUser(user: User | null) {
  console.log(user.name);  // Error: 'user' is possibly 'null'
}

Pressure Resistance Protocol

1. "It's More Concise"

Pressure: "NullableUser is shorter than User | null"

Response: Explicitness at usage is worth a few characters.

Action: Use Type | null at usage sites.

2. "It's Always Nullable"

Pressure: "Users from the API are always nullable"

Response: That's an API detail, not a property of users themselves.

Action: Handle nullability at the API boundary, not in the type.

Red Flags - STOP and Reconsider

• Type alias ending with | null or | undefined
• Types named NullableX or MaybeX
• Optional chains on parameters you thought were required
• Confusion about whether a type includes null

Common Rationalizations (All Invalid)

Quick Reference

// DON'T: null in type alias
type User = { id: string } | null;

// DON'T: Maybe/Nullable prefixes
type MaybeUser = User | null;

// DO: Clean type alias
type User = { id: string };

// DO: Explicit nullability at usage
function process(user: User | null) { ... }

// OK: Nullable properties inside objects
interface Config {
  timeout?: number;  // optional property
  data: Data | null; // nullable property
}

The Bottom Line

Type names should represent the thing, not maybe-the-thing.

When you read User, you should expect a user. Include | null explicitly at usage sites where nullability matters. This makes code more readable and helps TypeScript catch null-related bugs.

Reference

Based on "Effective TypeScript" by Dan Vanderkam, Item 32: Avoid Including null or undefined in Type Aliases.