TS1119: An object literal cannot have property and accessor with the same name

TypeScript is a powerful, statically typed superset of JavaScript that adds optional types, classes, interfaces, and other features to improve the development experience. Types in TypeScript allow developers to define what kinds of values can be assigned to variables, leading to more predictable and maintainable code. You can think of types as contracts that specify what data structures should look like, ensuring type safety and catching potential errors at compile time rather than at runtime.

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What is a Superset Language?

A superset language builds upon another language, adding new features while remaining fully compatible with the original. In the case of TypeScript, it is a superset of JavaScript, meaning that any valid JavaScript code can be run in TypeScript without modification. This makes it easy for JavaScript developers to adopt TypeScript gradually, enhancing their coding with type definitions and better tooling.

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Understanding TS1119: An object literal cannot have property and accessor with the same name

When working with TypeScript, you might encounter the error TS1119: An object literal cannot have property and accessor with the same name. This error typically occurs when you attempt to define both a property and an accessor (getter/setter) with the same name within an object literal.

Here’s a common scenario that leads to this error:

const obj = {
    name: "John",
    get name() { return this.name; }
};

In this example, we are trying to define an object obj with a property name and a getter name. TypeScript throws the TS1119 error because it's ambiguous which name it refers to when accessing obj.name.

How to Fix TS1119

To resolve the TS1119 error, you can either rename the property or the accessor. Here are two valid approaches:

1. Renaming the property:

const obj = {
    userName: "John",
    get name() { return this.userName; }
};

1. Using a different accessor name:

const obj = {
    name: "John",
    get fullName() { return this.name; }
};

Both approaches eliminate the conflict that leads to the TS1119 error, allowing your code to compile successfully.

Important to Know!

• When defining an object literal in TypeScript, ensure that property names are unique across properties and accessors to prevent the TS1119 error.
• Remember that TypeScript aims to provide type safety and clarity in your code, so avoiding name conflicts is crucial.

FAQs

Q: What does it mean when TypeScript raises TS1119?

A: It indicates that there is a naming conflict between a property and an accessor within the same object literal, which can lead to ambiguity in the code.

Q: Why should I use TypeScript instead of plain JavaScript?

A: TypeScript provides optional static typing, which allows for early error detection, better tooling, autocompletion in IDEs, and more maintainable code.

Important to Know!

• Always ensure you are using distinct names for properties and accessors within an object.
• Utilize TypeScript’s IDE integrations to help catch naming conflicts early in the development process.

In conclusion, encountering TS1119: An object literal cannot have property and accessor with the same name is a common pitfall in TypeScript. To avoid it, maintain clear naming conventions and ensure your property and accessor names do not overlap. By adhering to these practices, you can benefit from the type safety and features TypeScript offers, improving your development workflow.