can a JavaScript Array be null?

Question

I'm Collecting JavaScript Classes prototypes that make it compatible to old browsers never mind of that but what i wonder while collecting them that the Developer At Mozila comparing the Array to null i can see that is non since but maybe I'm wrong and there is an explanation for that ???

 if (!Array.prototype.every) {
    Array.prototype.every = function(fun /*, thisp */) {
        "use strict";

        if (this == null)
            throw new TypeError();

        var t = Object(this);
        var len = t.length >>> 0;
        if (typeof fun != "function")
            throw new TypeError();

        var thisp = arguments[1];
        for (var i = 0; i < len; i++) {
            if (i in t && !fun.call(thisp, t[i], i, t))
                return false;
        }

        return true;
    };
}

at this line

 if (this == null)

this is refers to the Array

This code at Mozila

Kindly i need an explanation is that a logic to compare a Array to a null even if i know that "this" which is refer to a must array type not a variable can be array or null ?? what you think ??

ThiefMaster · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-27 12:41:07Z

4

It could happen when someone calls it without a context, e.g. Array.prototype.every(...) instead of someArray.every(...). Or a more likely case: Passing someArray.every as a callback to some other function which will then invoke it without the proper context.

Since the function is running in Strict Mode this === undefined when no context is provided. And undefined == null.

answered Jan 27, 2013 at 12:41

ThiefMaster

320k85 gold badges608 silver badges648 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

monshq · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-27 12:39:08Z

2

It's useful for cases like:

Array.prototype.every.call(null, ...);

You are not likely to meet that version of code, but in place of null can be a variable, that is not yet initialized, for example. In that case TypeError is only logical.

answered Jan 27, 2013 at 12:39

monshq

3432 silver badges11 bronze badges

1 Comment

Felix Kling Over a year ago

You are missing the most important detail. Normally, when you pass null to .call (or .apply), this will refer to window. Test: (function() { console.log(this); }.call(null));

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

can a JavaScript Array be null?

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related