Which is clearer form: if(!value) or if(flag == value)?

Question

I understand this is a subjective question, so I apologize if it needs to be closed, but I feel like it comes up often enough for me to wonder if there is a general preferen

Answer 1

I don't think it's all that subjective. I have never seen it recommended in the longer form. Actually all the books and coding guides and "How to be a good programmer" HowTos I've read discourage it.

It falls in the same category as

if (value) {
  return true;
} else {
  return false;
}

OTOH, all the answers given here make my first statement kinda equal not true.