JavaScript check if variable exists (is defined/initialized)

Question

Which method of checking if a variable has been initialized is better/correct? (Assuming the variable could hold anything (string, int, object, function, etc.))

Answer 1

The most robust 'is it defined' check is with typeof

if (typeof elem === 'undefined')

If you are just checking for a defined variable to assign a default, for an easy to read one liner you can often do this:

elem = elem || defaultElem;

It's often fine to use, see: Idiomatic way to set default value in javascript

There is also this one liner using the typeof keyword:

elem = (typeof elem === 'undefined') ? defaultElem : elem;