How to check for both null and undefined in js?

Question

Is it possible to check for both null and undefined in javascript?

if(_var == null || _var == undefined) {

}

Answer 1

yes

However using the == operator it is not necesary. using foo == null will also be true of foo is undefined. Note however that undefined and null or not(!) the same. It is because that == does type coersion that foo == null is also true for foo is undefined.

Answer 2

you can also use $defined function in mootools (and there must be an equivalent in jquery)

Answer 3

In JavaScript (pre ECMAScript 5), undefined is not a constant, but a global variable, and therefore it is possible to change its value. Therefore it would be more reliable to use the typeof operator to check for undefined:

if (typeof _var === 'undefined') { }

In addition your expression would return a ReferenceError if the variable _var is not declared. However you would still be able to test it with the typeof operator as shown above.

Therefore, you may prefer to use the following:

if (typeof _var === 'undefined' || _var === null) { }

Answer 4

if (!_var) {
    // Code here.
}

This should work since both undefined and null are type coerced to false.

Of course there is the small problem if _var is actually false but it works since in most cases you would want to know if _var is not true and not an object.

Answer 5

Pim, so is this safe:

if(document.getElementById('someID')!=null) document.getElementById('someID').callSomeMethod();

I mean is that IF check enough to ensure that the callSomeMethod will be successfully invoked? (Assuming there is such a method of course.)