What is the proper operator for “not equals” in javascript?

Introduction

In JavaScript, the proper operator for “not equals” is the exclamation mark followed by an equal sign (!=). This operator is used to compare two values and returns true if they are not equal, and false if they are equal. Understanding the correct operator for “not equals” is essential for writing effective JavaScript code. In this article, we will dive deeper into this topic and explore how to use the “not equals” operator in different scenarios.

Using the “Not Equals” Operator

To use the “not equals” operator in JavaScript, you simply write != between two values that you want to compare. For example:

“`javascript
let x = 5;
let y = 10;

if (x != y) {
console.log(“x is not equal to y”);
} else {
console.log(“x is equal to y”);
}
“`

In the above code snippet, the “not equals” operator is used to compare the values of x and y. Since x is not equal to y, the condition inside the if statement evaluates to true, and the message “x is not equal to y” is printed to the console.

It’s important to note that the “not equals” operator performs type coercion, which means it converts the values being compared to a common type before making the comparison. This can sometimes lead to unexpected results. For example:

“`javascript
console.log(5 != “5”); // false
“`

In the above code, even though one value is a number and the other is a string, the “not equals” operator considers them equal because it performs type coercion. To avoid this, you can use the strict inequality operator (!==), which compares both the value and the type of the operands.

Using the Strict Inequality Operator

The strict inequality operator (!==) is similar to the “not equals” operator (!=), but it also checks the type of the operands. This means that if the values being compared have different types, the strict inequality operator will return true, even if the values are the same.

Here’s an example:

“`javascript
console.log(5 !== “5”); // true
“`

In the above code, the strict inequality operator correctly identifies that the number 5 and the string “5” are not equal because they have different types.

It’s generally recommended to use the strict inequality operator (!==) when comparing values in JavaScript to avoid unexpected behavior due to type coercion. However, there may be cases where the “not equals” operator (!=) is more appropriate, depending on the specific requirements of your code.

Conclusion

In JavaScript, the proper operator for “not equals” is !=. This operator is used to compare two values and returns true if they are not equal, and false if they are equal. It’s important to understand the difference between the “not equals” operator (!=) and the strict inequality operator (!==), which also checks the type of the operands. By using the correct operator, you can write more reliable and predictable JavaScript code.

References

– developer.mozilla.org
– w3schools.com