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LetsGit.IT/Categories/JavaScript
JavaScripteasy

Explain null vs undefined in JavaScript.

Tags
#types#null#undefined
Back to categoryPractice quiz

Answer

undefined means a variable was declared but not assigned; null is an explicit empty value. typeof null is a historical "object".

Advanced answer

Deep dive

Expanding on the short answer — what usually matters in practice:

  • Context (tags): types, null, undefined
  • Explain the "why", not just the "what" (intuition + consequences).
  • Trade-offs: what you gain/lose (time, memory, complexity, risk).
  • Edge cases: empty inputs, large inputs, invalid inputs, concurrency.

Examples

A tiny example (an explanation template):

// Example: discuss trade-offs for "explain-null-vs-undefined-in-javascript."
function explain() {
  // Start from the core idea:
  // undefined means a variable was declared but not assigned; null is an explicit empty value.
}

Common pitfalls

  • Too generic: no concrete trade-offs or examples.
  • Mixing average-case and worst-case (e.g., complexity).
  • Ignoring constraints: memory, concurrency, network/disk costs.

Interview follow-ups

  • When would you choose an alternative and why?
  • What production issues show up and how do you diagnose them?
  • How would you test edge cases?

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