TypeScript type assertions..

type.ts

// without initilization, message is of 'any' type
// now you won't get intellisense because editor doesn't 
// know what type it is..
let message;
message = "abs";

// one example of type assertion
let endswithC = (<string>message).endsWith('c');

// the alternative way
let alternativeWay = (message as string).endsWith('c');

// you would now get intellesense when you do . after brackets