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Why You Should Use Undefined Instead of Null in Javascript

Blog post from Harness

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Harness Team
Word Count
1,360
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

The blog post discusses the author's preference for using `undefined` over `null` in JavaScript applications to avoid ambiguous logic and unintended behavior. It highlights that while JavaScript has two null-like values, null and undefined, they are distinct and have different implications for code clarity and maintainability. The author argues that using only `undefined` can simplify code and reduce errors, as `undefined` is naturally introduced in JavaScript, whereas `null` must be explicitly set. The post also touches on the challenges of managing both values, especially in TypeScript, and suggests that avoiding `null` can lead to cleaner data flows and easier code management. Additionally, it briefly introduces Split, a feature management platform that aids in safely deploying features and conducting experiments without disrupting workflows.