feat: Throw a better error message when using wrong imports (#467)

mrousavy · Jan 8, 2025 · 96e7716 · 96e7716
1 parent bf19f7d
commit 96e7716
Showing 1 changed file with 13 additions and 3 deletions.
diff --git a/packages/nitrogen/src/syntax/createType.ts b/packages/nitrogen/src/syntax/createType.ts
@@ -336,9 +336,19 @@ export function createType(
         `String literal ${type.getText()} cannot be represented in C++ because it is ambiguous between a string and a discriminating union enum.`
       )
     } else {
-      throw new Error(
-        `The TypeScript type "${type.getText()}" cannot be represented in C++!`
-      )
+      if (type.getSymbol() == null) {
+        // There is no declaration for it!
+        // Could be an invalid import, e.g. an alias
+        throw new Error(
+          `The TypeScript type "${type.getText()}" cannot be resolved - is it imported properly? ` +
+            `Make sure to import it properly using fully specified relative or absolute imports, no aliases.`
+        )
+      } else {
+        // A different error
+        throw new Error(
+          `The TypeScript type "${type.getText()}" cannot be represented in C++!`
+        )
+      }
     }
   }