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array-type

Require consistently using either T[] or Array<T> for arrays.

🔒

Extending "plugin:@typescript-eslint/strict" in an ESLint configuration enables this rule.

🔧

Some problems reported by this rule are automatically fixable by the --fix ESLint command line option.

TypeScript provides two equivalent ways to define an array type: T[] and Array<T>. The two styles are functionally equivalent. Using the same style consistently across your codebase makes it easier for developers to read and understand array types.

.eslintrc.cjs
module.exports = {
"rules": {
"@typescript-eslint/array-type": "warn"
}
};

Options

This rule accepts an options object with the following properties:

interface Options {
/**
* The array type expected for mutable cases...
*/
default?: "array" | "generic" | "array-simple";
/**
* The array type expected for readonly cases. If omitted, the value for `default` will be used.
*/
readonly?: "array" | "generic" | "array-simple";
}

const defaultOptions: Options = [{ default: "array" }];

The default config will enforce that all mutable and readonly arrays use the 'array' syntax.

"array"

Always use T[] or readonly T[] for all array types.

const x: Array<string> = ['a', 'b'];
const y: ReadonlyArray<string> = ['a', 'b'];

"generic"

Always use Array<T> or ReadonlyArray<T> for all array types.

const x: string[] = ['a', 'b'];
const y: readonly string[] = ['a', 'b'];

"array-simple"

Use T[] or readonly T[] for simple types (i.e. types which are just primitive names or type references). Use Array<T> or ReadonlyArray<T> for all other types (union types, intersection types, object types, function types, etc).

const a: (string | number)[] = ['a', 'b'];
const b: { prop: string }[] = [{ prop: 'a' }];
const c: (() => void)[] = [() => {}];
const d: Array<MyType> = ['a', 'b'];
const e: Array<string> = ['a', 'b'];
const f: ReadonlyArray<string> = ['a', 'b'];

Combination Matrix

This matrix lists all possible option combinations and their expected results for different types of Arrays.

defaultOptionreadonlyOptionArray with simple typeArray with non simple typeReadonly array with simple typeReadonly array with non simple type
arraynumber[](Foo & Bar)[]readonly number[]readonly (Foo & Bar)[]
arrayarraynumber[](Foo & Bar)[]readonly number[]readonly (Foo & Bar)[]
arrayarray-simplenumber[](Foo & Bar)[]readonly number[]ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
arraygenericnumber[](Foo & Bar)[]ReadonlyArray<number>ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
array-simplenumber[]Array<Foo & Bar>readonly number[]ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
array-simplearraynumber[]Array<Foo & Bar>readonly number[]readonly (Foo & Bar)[]
array-simplearray-simplenumber[]Array<Foo & Bar>readonly number[]ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
array-simplegenericnumber[]Array<Foo & Bar>ReadonlyArray<number>ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
genericArray<number>Array<Foo & Bar>ReadonlyArray<number>ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
genericarrayArray<number>Array<Foo & Bar>readonly number[]readonly (Foo & Bar)[]
genericarray-simpleArray<number>Array<Foo & Bar>readonly number[]ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>
genericgenericArray<number>Array<Foo & Bar>ReadonlyArray<number>ReadonlyArray<Foo & Bar>

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