How to check if a variable has been initialized or not in JavaScript?
Assuming the variable could hold anything (string, int, object, function, etc.)
Use The typeof operator will check if the variable is really undefined in JS.
if (typeof variable === 'undefined') {
// variable is undefined
}The typeof operator, unlike the other operators, doesn’t throw a ReferenceError exception when used with an undeclared variable.
However, do note that the typeof null will return “object”. We have to be careful to avoid the mistake of initializing a variable to null. To be safe, this is what we could use instead:
Using strict comparison === instead of simple equality ==
if (typeof variable === 'undefined' || variable === null) {
// variable is undefined or null
}
JavaScript check if the variable exists example code
HTML example code variable is undefined or null in JavaScript.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
var num;
if (typeof num === 'undefined' || num === null) {
alert("variable is undefined or null")
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>Output:
Do comment if you have any doubts and suggestions on this topic.
Note: The All JS Examples codes are tested on the Firefox browser and the Chrome browser.
OS: Windows 10
Code: HTML 5 Version