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!== null vs !== undefined in Typescript or Javascript, how to check for both at once?

question typescript javascript
Ram Patra Published on November 14, 2024

The choice between !== undefined and !== null depends on the context and what you’re trying to check.

Key Differences:

  1. undefined:
    • A variable or property that has been declared but not assigned a value.
    • A function parameter that was not provided when the function was called.
    • A property that doesn’t exist in an object.
  2. null:
    • An explicit value that represents “no value” or “empty.”
    • Often used to intentionally signify the absence of a value.

When to Use:

  1. Use !== undefined when:
    • You’re dealing with cases where a variable might be uninitialized or omitted.
    • Checking whether a parameter was passed to a function.
    if (value !== undefined) {
      // Do something
    }
    
  2. Use !== null when:
    • You explicitly assign null to indicate “no value.”
    • Checking against a value explicitly set as null.
    if (value !== null) {
      // Do something
    }
    
  3. Use both (value != null) when:
    • You want to check for both null and undefined together, since null and undefined are considered equal in loose equality (==).
    • Commonly used when you don’t care about the specific type of “empty.”
    if (value != null) {
      // Do something if value is not null or undefined
    }
    

Best Practice:

  • Prefer strict equality checks (!== or ===) for better type safety and clarity.
  • Use != null only when you explicitly want to check for both null and undefined.

For your example:

  • offerPrice !== undefined is correct if you’re checking whether the parameter was passed.
  • If offerPrice might explicitly be null, you should use offerPrice != null to handle both cases.
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Ram Patra Published on November 14, 2024
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