typeof is an operator and a function

Question

In JavaScript typeof is an operator and a function. Is it better used as an operator or a function? Why?

Answer 1

I think you pick which you want based on clarity, as a habit I usually use it as an operator in the following way because it's pretty clear, at least IMO:

if(typeof thing === "string") { 
  alert("this is a string");
}

if(typeof thing === "function") {
  alert("this is a function");
}

This is opposed to this format:

if(typeof(thing) === "string") { 
  alert("this is a string");
}

Which to me, makes it slightly slower to read. If you do typeof(thing) it's the same thing, so whatever floats your boat. You can get a full read and what strings to expect from types here.