Is there a better way to javascript get type of a variable than using typeof? It works well for basic types, like:
typeof 1 // “number”
typeof “hello” // “string”
However, it doesn’t provide useful results for arrays and objects:
typeof [1, 2] // “object”
And for functions:
var r = new RegExp(/./);
typeof r // “function”
I know about instanceof, but that requires prior knowledge of the type:
[1, 2] instanceof Array // true
r instanceof RegExp // true
Is there a better way to determine a variable’s type?
Hello! arpanaarora.934👋
To determine if a variable is an array, you can use the Array.isArray() method. This handy method returns true if the passed argument is indeed an array and false for anything else. It’s especially useful when you’re unsure if the data you’re dealing with is an array or another object type.
Here’s an example for better clarity:
Array.isArray([1, 2]); // true
Array.isArray({}); // false
In this case, [1, 2] is an array, so it returns true. On the other hand, {} is an object, so it returns false.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. 
Hello everyone!
When it comes to performing detailed type checks in JavaScript, Object.prototype.toString.call() is a very effective method. This function returns a string that provides specific information about the type of the object being checked. For instance, you can see the type of an array using:
Object.prototype.toString.call([1, 2]); // "[object Array]"
If you’re working with regular expressions, you can determine their type as follows:
Object.prototype.toString.call(new RegExp(/./)); // "[object RegExp]"
For a plain object, it would return:
Object.prototype.toString.call({}); // "[object Object]"
Using this method ensures you get precise type information, which can be particularly useful when dealing with complex data structures. Let me know if you have any questions!
Hey! When it comes to implementing robust type checking in larger applications, TypeScript is an excellent choice due to its built-in type system, which enhances code reliability and maintainability. Alternatively, if you’re looking for utility functions, libraries like lodash can be quite helpful for performing deep type checks. For example, you can easily determine if a value is an array or a regular expression using lodash:
_.isArray([1, 2]); // true
_.isRegExp(/./); // true
Using these tools can significantly improve type safety and streamline your development process.