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Odumosu Matthew
Odumosu Matthew

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JavaScript Equality Operators: Demystifying == vs. === for Precise Comparisons

When it comes to comparisons in JavaScript, the choice between the == (loose equality) and === (strict equality) operators can have a significant impact on your code's behavior. Let's explore the key differences with practical code examples.

Loose Equality (==):

The == operator performs type coercion, converting operands to the same type before comparison:

javascript
Strict Equality (===):

The === operator checks both value and type, without type coercion:

javascript

When to Use Each:

  1. Use === (Strict Equality) By Default:

For most scenarios, strict equality is recommended. It prevents unexpected type conversions:

javascript

  1. Use == (Loose Equality) When Necessary:

Use loose equality when you specifically want type coercion, like checking for null or undefined:

javascript

Best Practices:

  1. Consistency: Prioritize === for consistency and predictability.
  2. Explicit Type Checking: Use === for explicit type checking:

javascript

Conclusion:

While both == and ===have their use cases, the === (strict equality) operator is generally safer due to its explicit type checking and avoidance of implicit conversions.

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Credit: Graphics sourced from JavaScript: Equality comparison with ==, === and Object.is

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