How to check for an undefined or null variable in JavaScript?

Question

We are frequently using the following code pattern in our JavaScript code

if (typeof(some_variable) != \'undefined\' && some_variable != null)
{
             


        

Answer 1

Both values can be easily distinguished by using the strict comparison operator:

Working example at:

http://www.thesstech.com/tryme?filename=nullandundefined

Sample Code:

function compare(){
    var a = null; //variable assigned null value
    var b;  // undefined
    if (a === b){
        document.write("a and b have same datatype.");
    }
    else{
        document.write("a and b have different datatype.");
    }   
}