What's the difference between a JavaScript variable that is: `null`, `undefined` or undeclared?

TL;DR

Undeclared

Undeclared variables are created when you assign a value to an identifier that is not previously created using var, let or const. Undeclared variables will be defined globally, outside of the current scope. In strict mode, a ReferenceError will be thrown when you try to assign to an undeclared variable. Undeclared variables are bad in the same way that global variables are bad. Avoid them at all cost! To check for them, wrap its usage in a try/catch block.

function foo() {
  x = 1; // Throws a ReferenceError in strict mode
}

foo();
console.log(x); // 1 (if not in strict mode)

Using the typeof operator on undeclared variables will give 'undefined'.

console.log(typeof y === 'undefined'); // true

undefined

A variable that is undefined is a variable that has been declared, but not assigned a value. It is of type undefined. If a function does not return a value, and its result is assigned to a variable, that variable will also have the value undefined. To check for it, compare using the strict equality (===) operator or typeof which will give the 'undefined' string. Note that you should not be using the loose equality operator (==) to check, as it will also return true if the value is null.

let foo;
console.log(foo); // undefined
console.log(foo === undefined); // true
console.log(typeof foo === 'undefined'); // true

console.log(foo == null); // true. Wrong, don't use this to check if a value is undefined!

function bar() {} // Returns undefined if there is nothing returned.
let baz = bar();
console.log(baz); // undefined

null

A variable that is null will have been explicitly assigned to the null value. It represents no value and is different from undefined in the sense that it has been explicitly assigned. To check for null, simply compare using the strict equality operator. Note that like the above, you should not be using the loose equality operator (==) to check, as it will also return true if the value is undefined.

const foo = null;
console.log(foo === null); // true
console.log(typeof foo === 'object'); // true

console.log(foo == undefined); // true. Wrong, don't use this to check if a value is null!

Notes

• As a good habit, never leave your variables undeclared or unassigned. Explicitly assign null to them after declaring if you don't intend to use them yet.
• Always explicitly declare variables before using them to prevent errors.
• Using some static analysis tooling in your workflow (e.g. ESLint, TypeScript Compiler), will enable checks that you are not referencing undeclared variables.

Practice

Practice implementing type utilities that check for null and undefined on GreatFrontEnd.

Further Reading

• MDN Web Docs: null
• MDN Web Docs: undefined
• MDN Web Docs: ReferenceError