Avoid Object Wrapper Types (String, Number, Boolean, Symbol, BigInt)

Overview

Use lowercase primitive types, never uppercase wrapper types.

JavaScript has primitive types (string, number, boolean) and object wrapper types (String, Number, Boolean). TypeScript has types for both, but you should almost never use the wrapper types.

When to Use This Skill

• Typing any primitive value
• Seeing errors about wrapper type mismatches
• Understanding why String !== string
• Working with methods on primitives

The Iron Rule

ALWAYS use lowercase: string, number, boolean, symbol, bigint
NEVER use uppercase: String, Number, Boolean, Symbol, BigInt

Remember:

• Wrappers are objects, primitives are not
• TypeScript freely accepts primitives where wrappers expected
• TypeScript does NOT accept wrappers where primitives expected
• Methods work on primitives via auto-boxing

Detection: The Wrapper Trap

// These look similar but behave differently
const primitive: string = "hello";
const wrapper: String = new String("hello");

// Equality fails
primitive === wrapper;  // false (different types)
wrapper === wrapper;    // Wait, this is also comparing to itself...

const s1 = new String("hello");
const s2 = new String("hello");
s1 === s2;  // false! Each wrapper is a unique object

How Primitive Methods Work

Primitives don't have methods, but this works:

'primitive'.charAt(3);  // 'm' - how?

JavaScript auto-boxes:

1. Creates temporary String wrapper
2. Calls method on wrapper
3. Discards wrapper
4. Returns result

You get convenience without the wrapper's drawbacks.

The Type Assignment Problem

// Primitive assignable to wrapper (OK but don't do this)
const s: String = "primitive";  // Works

// Wrapper NOT assignable to primitive (Error)
function takesString(s: string) { }
takesString(new String("hello"));
//          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
// Argument of type 'String' is not assignable to parameter of type 'string'.
// 'string' is a primitive, but 'String' is a wrapper object.

All Primitive Types

Note: null and undefined don't have wrapper types.

Why Wrappers Are Problematic

Identity Issues

const s1 = new String("hello");
const s2 = new String("hello");

s1 == s2;   // false
s1 === s2;  // false
// Each is a distinct object

typeof Confusion

typeof "hello";              // "string"
typeof new String("hello");  // "object"

Truthiness Gotchas

const falsy = new Boolean(false);
if (falsy) {
  console.log("This runs!"); // Wrapper objects are always truthy
}

Exception: Runtime Methods

You can use wrappers for their static methods:

// These are fine - not creating wrapper objects
String.fromCharCode(65);  // "A"
Number.isNaN(x);
BigInt(123);              // Creates primitive, not wrapper

But never use them as types or create instances.

Pressure Resistance Protocol

1. "I Need String Methods"

Pressure: "I want to use String methods, so I'll type it as String"

Response: Primitive string has all the same methods via auto-boxing.

Action: Use string type. Methods just work.

2. "TypeScript Inferred String (Uppercase)"

Pressure: "TypeScript gave me String, so it must be right"

Response: Check your code - you might be creating a wrapper accidentally.

Action: Find and fix the source. Use lowercase.

Red Flags - STOP and Reconsider

• Uppercase String, Number, Boolean in type annotations
• new String(), new Number(), new Boolean() anywhere
• Errors about wrapper vs primitive assignment
• typeof x === "object" when expecting a primitive

Common Rationalizations (All Invalid)

Quick Reference

// ALWAYS use these
const s: string = "hello";
const n: number = 42;
const b: boolean = true;
const sym: symbol = Symbol();
const big: bigint = 9007199254740991n;

// NEVER use these
const s: String = "hello";   // Wrong
const n: Number = 42;        // Wrong
const b: Boolean = true;     // Wrong

The Bottom Line

Always use lowercase primitive types.

There's never a good reason to use String, Number, or Boolean as types. The uppercase versions cause assignment errors, have identity issues, and provide no benefits over the lowercase primitives.

Reference

Based on "Effective TypeScript" by Dan Vanderkam, Item 10: Avoid Object Wrapper Types (String, Number, Boolean, Symbol, BigInt).