This is similar to a number of other questions on SO, but not exactly the same as any I can find.

Which is the best approach for checking for an undefined value in Javascript, and why?

First example:

var a;
if (typeof(a) === 'undefined'){...}

Second example:

var a;
if (a === undefined){...}

So, the first example is paring the name of the type to a string, and the second is paring the variable to the undefined object, using the equality operator, which checks that the types are the same as well as the values.

Which is better? Or are they both as good as one another?

Note that I'm not asking about any difference between undefined and null, or truthy or falsey, just which of these two methods is correct and/or better.

This is similar to a number of other questions on SO, but not exactly the same as any I can find.

Which is the best approach for checking for an undefined value in Javascript, and why?

First example:

var a;
if (typeof(a) === 'undefined'){...}

Second example:

var a;
if (a === undefined){...}

So, the first example is paring the name of the type to a string, and the second is paring the variable to the undefined object, using the equality operator, which checks that the types are the same as well as the values.

Which is better? Or are they both as good as one another?

Note that I'm not asking about any difference between undefined and null, or truthy or falsey, just which of these two methods is correct and/or better.

• javascript

• Afaik they're the same, as long as you either have set up your own local undefined, or you can trust that no idiot will redefine it to true or something. – Amadan Commented May 28, 2012 at 20:54
• 2 typeof is not a function. You don't need the parens. – Šime Vidas Commented May 28, 2012 at 21:03
• 2 The first method is safer, because (A) you don't have to worry if the undefined variable really holds the undefined value, and (B) you don't have to worry about reference errors in case your operand happens to be undeclared. – Šime Vidas Commented May 28, 2012 at 21:08
• Thanks @ŠimeVidas, that's a good answer. Shame you didn't enter it as a proper answer but as a ment. Still, I'll see if I can vote you up. – Mick Sear Commented May 28, 2012 at 21:13
• @MickSear I just summarized the existing answers below :) – Šime Vidas Commented May 28, 2012 at 21:14

3 Answers 3

If a variable doesn't exist, then you'll get a reference error when you try to use it — even if you are paring it to undefined. So always use typeof.

> foo === undefined
ReferenceError: foo is not defined
    at repl:1:2
    at REPLServer.eval (repl.js:80:21)
    at Interface.<anonymous> (repl.js:182:12)
    at Interface.emit (events.js:67:17)
    at Interface._onLine (readline.js:162:10)
    at Interface._line (readline.js:426:8)
    at Interface._ttyWrite (readline.js:603:14)
    at ReadStream.<anonymous> (readline.js:82:12)
    at ReadStream.emit (events.js:88:20)
    at ReadStream._emitKey (tty.js:320:10)
> typeof foo === "undefined"
true

It is also possible for (bad) code to overwrite undefined, which would cause an undefined value to not be equal to undefined.

The undefined can be assigned a value, and the type check won't work. Unless the scope of the code is protected, e.g.

(function(undefined){
    var a;
    if (a === undefined) {
})();
// note called without parameter, so undefined is actually an undefined value

this way to check is not safe, and first one is prefered

Edit: It seems that ECMA 5 dissalows assigning value to the undefined, but still this depends on the browser implementation.

The two methods are correct, but the typeof one is immune to changes to the value of undefined. If you need stricter checking, use typeof().

In the ECMA 3 standard, you can modify the value of undefined as such:

undefined = "not undefined";

And this can lead to ugliness when paring to undefined later on. In ECMA 5, this is disallowed. This means most modern browsers will not let you set the value of undefined, and you should be safe using === undefined.

Also, if you're not even sure whether the variable you are checking has been defined, you should use typeof, otherwise you will get a reference error.