[removed] use either a variable, or if it's undefined, a default string

Question

I have this code:

var phrase = function (variable, defaultPhrase) {
    if (typeof variable === \"undefined\") {
        return defaultPhrase;
    }
    else         


        

Answer 1

You don't need a function. The || operator is usually used:

Ext.Msg.show({ title: js_shutdown || 'Shutdown', //...

You can see || as:

someValue || defaultValue

For strings, defaultValue is used if someValue === "".

If the variable is not defined at all, you'll need to inline the typeof x === "undefined" check, because you cannot pass the variable to a function (that's a ReferenceError).