Updated April 6, 2023
Introduction to TypeScript generator
In TypeScript, we have one special type of function, which is known as a generator. By the use of a generator in TypeScript, we can control the execution of the function in TypeScript. It comes up with so many extra features than a normal function in TypeScript. The generator can resume, stop, yield the function execution; it totally depends upon the caller’s choice. In short, by the use of generators in TypeScript, we can control the flow of function in the application. In the coming section, we will discuss more the internal working of the generator in detail for its better usage in our application.
Syntax
As discussed, generators are nothing but a special type of function in TypeScript, and its execution totally depends upon the caller of the function. Let’s have a look at its syntax for a better understanding of its implementation during the application; see below;
function* function_name() {
// our logic goes here ..
}As you can see in the above lines of code, we are declaring syntax to use the generator in TypeScript; for this, we are using the asterisk symbol just after the function keyword in TypeScript. Inside this, we can simply define the function body like any other normal function in TypeScript. Let’s see one practice syntax for beginners for better usage see below;
function* myGenrator() {
// logic 1
// logic 2
}In the coming section, we will see its internal working in detail, where we will see how to implement it in our application and use it.
How the generator work in TypeScript?
As of now, we already know that generator is used to control the program execution; its all control depends upon the caller who calls it. By the use of it, we can stop function execution, pause, resume and yield the value, etc. By using a generator, yield plays an important role here; without it, we cannot actually use the generator to execute. In this section, we will see its internal working and how to invoke it. Let’s see its working in detail.
Declaring a generator function: To declare a generator function in TypeScript, we use an asterisk symbol just before the function keyword in TypeScript. In a normal function declaration, we have only a function keyword associate with the function name, but in the generator, our function keyword bind with the asterisk symbol. Below sees the function declaration for the generator in TypeScript:
Example:
function* demo(){}But inside this generator, we are bound to use the yield expression. This is important because it will transfer the control to the caller object; also, it will return the result to the caller object in TypeScript. After the function declaration, we can define its body as a swell, just like the normal function in TypeScript. But we have some rules while calling the generator function in TypeScript that we will discuss in the coming section of the tutorial.
How to use the generator in TypeScript?
As we discussed, it is very simple to define a generator in TypeScript but to call it; we have to have a look at some of the standards defined by the typescript language. We have to perform one more additional step to call the generator in TypeScript; we cannot call them like normal function in TypeScript. We have to use iterators for that to execute it. Suppose we have just called the generator function after defining it, but in the case of the generator, we are only calling the function, not the body of the function. Its body will not be executed until we use iterators for that; in this case, iterators will do this job. Generators internally support iterators, and by the use of them, we can execute the body of the generator.
Lets’ see one sample example for beginners to understand their working and implantation in more detail for better usage in the application without error; see below;
Example:
function* demogenerator(mynum:any) {
//logic here
for(var z = 0; z < mynum.length; z++) {
yield mynum[z];
}
}
var mydemoarray = [400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900];
var myitr = demogenerator(mydemoarray);
console.log(myitr.next());In the above lines of code, we are trying to implement a generator in TypeScript. In the first line of code, we create one generator function that will return the value from the passing array. Also, inside this generator function, we are using the yield keyword to return the result to the caller function. We can yield anything from the generator function; whether it is a string, number, or any other object depends upon the requirement. After that, we call the generator function. We have also created one array named ‘mydemoarray’, which contains all the elements we want the generator function to return on calling it. To call it, we have to follow two steps which are mentioned below;
1) Call function and pass the required parameter inside it, if any.
2) After this, we have to use iterators to execute its body. Without it, we will not get any output from the generator function. For this, we have to use the next() method from the iterator library.
Examples
1) In this example, we are trying to implement a generator in Typescript and try to print the values from the array. Here also, we have created only one instance of the generator function* and calling next() for the number of times to point it to the next element from the array.
Example:
function* demogenerator(mynum:any) {
//logic here
console.log("generator called !!");
for(var z = 0; z < mynum.length; z++) {
yield mynum[z];
}
}
console.log("Demo to show generator in typescript !!!");
var mydemoarray = [400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900];
var myitr = demogenerator(mydemoarray);
let result1 = myitr.next();
let result2 = myitr.next();
let result3 = myitr.next();
let result4 = myitr.next();
let result5 = myitr.next();
let result6 = myitr.next();
console.log("printing result ::: ");
console.log("result one is ::" );
console.log(result1);
console.log(result2);
console.log(result3);
console.log(result4);
console.log(result5);
console.log(result6);Output:
Rules and regulation for the generator in TypeScript
There are several rule and regulation to use generator function in TypeScript, which we will discuss below;
1) To define the generator function in TypeScript, we have to use the * ‘asterisk’ symbol with the function keyword in TypeScript.
2) Also, we have to use yield expression inside the generator function to return the result and give control back to the caller function in TypeScript.
3) We cannot call generator function just like normal function in TypeScript; we have to use the iterator next() method to execute the body of the generator function in TypeScript.
4) We can control the generator function in TypeScript.
Conclusion
By the use of it, we can control the function execution in the application. They are very easy to use and implement, just like any other function in TypeScript; we just have to use the ‘*’ symbol before the function keyword while declaring it. We can pause, stop, resume the generator function as per the need.
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