In php I'm writing the following

<?php
if(x != 0) {
echo "function myfunction(){};";    
}
?>

In javascript I wish to test if the function exists and if not write out an empty function

if(typeof myfunction != 'function'){
    function myfunction(){};
}

This works great in firefox but, in chrome even if the typeof equals function it still goes into and creates the empty function. I can't find a work around for chrome, i've tried if(!myfunction), if(typeof window.myfunction != 'function) but nothing seems to work here for chrome when everything seems to work in firefox. Any ideas?

In php I'm writing the following

<?php
if(x != 0) {
echo "function myfunction(){};";    
}
?>

In javascript I wish to test if the function exists and if not write out an empty function

if(typeof myfunction != 'function'){
    function myfunction(){};
}

This works great in firefox but, in chrome even if the typeof equals function it still goes into and creates the empty function. I can't find a work around for chrome, i've tried if(!myfunction), if(typeof window.myfunction != 'function) but nothing seems to work here for chrome when everything seems to work in firefox. Any ideas?

• javascript
• function
• typeof

• Still no answer? I have the same problem and the solution below doesn't work for me. – Luc CR Commented Dec 17, 2012 at 20:22

2 Answers 2

Use a function expression, not a function declaration.

if(typeof myfunction != 'function'){
   window.myfunction = function(){};
}

(I'm using window since your last paragraph suggests you want a global function)

You should use strict comparison operator !==

if(typeof myFunction !== 'function'){
    window.myFunction = function(){}; // for a global function or
    NAMESPACE.myFunction = function(){}; // for a function in NAMESPACE 
}

Also try to keep js functions inside namespaces, this way you avoid collisions with other js libraries in the future.