js code to tell if a function is available for an object

Question

The following line of javascript gets a Uncaught TypeError: Object #Text has no method 'getAttribute' in chrome and safari but not in IE.

this.Element.getAttribute("whatever")

I get that this.Element is the main problem, but would like a temporary fix for debugging other parts of the code. How can test to see if a function is available on an item without getting a javascript error?

you could wrap it in a try/catch ?

Richard H
– Richard H

2012-12-03 18:15:06 +00:00
Commented Dec 3, 2012 at 18:15 — Richard H
– Richard H, Commented Dec 3, 2012 at 18:15

Sajjan Sarkar · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-03 18:15:16Z

3

if (this.Element.getAttribute)
{
// exists
}
else
{
// does not
}

answered Dec 3, 2012 at 18:15

Sajjan Sarkar

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2 Comments

Scott Sauyet Over a year ago

And what if this.Element.getAttribute is a boolean? Or anything other than a function?

Sajjan Sarkar Over a year ago

@ScottSauyet look, all the OP wanted was to test if the .getattribute() existed for this object.This will work as long as this.Element is an object. And if a coder names a boolean as getAttribute, he shouldnt be coding :)

Scott Sauyet · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-03 18:17:18Z

2

if (this && this.Element && typeof this.Element.getAttribute == "function") {
    // ...
}

answered Dec 3, 2012 at 18:17

Scott Sauyet

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2 Comments

Bot Over a year ago

See @Jaspers answer. checking if it is undefined would prevent you from having to check this and this.element

Scott Sauyet Over a year ago

@Bot: No, instead if you skip these checks and Element was not defined, the JS engine would throw a TypeError, something like "Cannot read property 'getAttribute' of undefined

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