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javascriptequalityweak-typingidentity-operator

When would JavaScript == make more sense than ===?

As Which equals operator (== vs ===) should be used in JavaScript comparisons? indicates they are basically identical except '===' also ensures type equality and hence '==' might perform type conversion. In Douglas Crockford's JavaScript: The Good Parts, it is advised to always avoid '=='. However, I'm wondering what the original thought of designing two set of equality operators was.

Have you seen any situation that using '==' actually is more suitable than using '==='?

Solution

  • Consider a situation when you compare numbers or strings:

    if (4 === 4)
{
  // true
}

    but

    if (4 == "4")
{
  // true
}

    and

    if (4 === "4")
{
  // false
}

    This applies to objects as well as arrays.

    So in above cases, you have to make sensible choice whether to use == or ===