We are frequently using the following code pattern in our JavaScript code
if (typeof(some_variable) != \'undefined\' && some_variable != null)
{
Testing nullity (if (value == null)) or non-nullity (if (value != null)) is less verbose than testing the definition status of a variable.
Moreover, testing if (value) (or if( obj.property)) to ensure the existence of your variable (or object property) fails if it is defined with a boolean false value. Caveat emptor :)