Functions return any instead of unknown

[RA80533]

A common mistake in TypeScript code is the use of any in places where it should actually be unknown. From a linguistic perspective, any implies that something has the potential to be anything. In effect, however, the TypeScript sees this as sort of a wildcard which, linguistically, would make any more of an everything type.

This is an important distinction to make when dealing with TypeScript because any will break the type safety ensured by the TypeScript compiler for the end user.

This excellent Gist has a great chart that explains the type system and where any and unknown fall into it.