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

In the particular situation outlined in the question,

typeof window.console === "undefined"

is identical to

window.console === undefined

I prefer the latter since it's shorter.

Please note that we look up for console only in global scope (which is a window object in all browsers). In this particular situation it's desirable. We don't want console defined elsewhere.

@BrianKelley in his great answer explains technical details. I've only added lacking conclusion and digested it into something easier to read.