Class type check in TypeScript

Question

In ActionScript, it is possible to check the type at run-time using the is operator:

var mySprite:Sprite = new Sprite(); 
trace(mySprite is Sprite); // true          


        

Answer 1

You can use the instanceof operator for this. From MDN:

The instanceof operator tests whether the prototype property of a constructor appears anywhere in the prototype chain of an object.

If you don't know what prototypes and prototype chains are I highly recommend looking it up. Also here is a JS (TS works similar in this respect) example which might clarify the concept:

    class Animal {
        name;
    
        constructor(name) {
            this.name = name;
        }
    }
    
    const animal = new Animal('fluffy');
    
    // true because Animal in on the prototype chain of animal
    console.log(animal instanceof Animal); // true
    // Proof that Animal is on the prototype chain
    console.log(Object.getPrototypeOf(animal) === Animal.prototype); // true
    
    // true because Object in on the prototype chain of animal
    console.log(animal instanceof Object); 
    // Proof that Object is on the prototype chain
    console.log(Object.getPrototypeOf(Animal.prototype) === Object.prototype); // true
    
    console.log(animal instanceof Function); // false, Function not on prototype chain
    
    

The prototype chain in this example is:

animal > Animal.prototype > Object.prototype