What is undefined in JavaScript?
In JavaScript, undefined
is a primitive value that represents the absence of a value.
It is one of the two special values in JavaScript, the other being null
.
When is a variable undefined?
A variable is undefined when it has not been assigned a value.
For example, the following code declares a variable x
but does not assign it a value:
“`javascript
let x;
console.log(x); // undefined
“`
A variable can also be undefined if it is assigned the value undefined
:
“`javascript
let x = undefined;
console.log(x); // undefined
“`
How to check if a variable is undefined
You can use the typeof
operator to check if a variable is undefined:
“`javascript
let x;
console.log(typeof x); // “undefined”
“`
Undefined vs. null
undefined
and null
are two different values in JavaScript.
undefined
represents the absence of a value, while null
represents a deliberate “empty” value.
The following table summarizes the key differences between undefined
and null
:
Property | undefined | null |
---|---|---|
Value | Represents the absence of a value | Represents a deliberate “empty” value |
Type | Primitive value | Object value |
Comparison | undefined is not equal to null |
null is equal to null |
Conclusion
undefined
is a primitive value in JavaScript that represents the absence of a value.
It is important to understand the difference between undefined
and null
, as they are two distinct values with different meanings.