Object.toType

ba-objecttotype.js

// See http://javascriptweblog.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/fixing-the-javascript-typeof-operator/

(function(global) {
  // Maintain a map of already-encountered types for super-fast lookups. This
  // serves the dual purpose of being an object from which to use the function
  // Object.prototype.toString for retrieving an object's [[Class]].
  var types = {};

  // Return a useful value based on a passed object's [[Class]] (when possible).
  Object.toType = function(obj) {
    var key;
    // If the object is null, return "Null" (IE <= 8)
    return obj === null ? "Null"
      // If the object is undefined, return "Undefined" (IE <= 8)
      : obj == null ? "Undefined"
      // If the object is the global object, return "Global"
      : obj === global ? "Global"
      // Otherwise return the XXXXX part of the full [object XXXXX] value, from
      // cache if possible.
      : types[key = types.toString.call(obj)] || (types[key] = key.slice(8, -1));
  };
}(this));

See this JSFiddle example.

I dig the Global check. Imma add that to my projects that have similar methods. I will post a link when I update it to detect global on server-side enviros too.

cowboy
yeah good call on the IE7 / IE8 undefined/null issue (your second "// If the object is undefined, return "Null" (IE <= 8)" is wrong :-)

jd - I did the global check in my original article too :-;

@angus-c You win double internets \o/

@angus-c why is it wrong? If obj === null then obj is null. If that check fails, if obj == null then obj must be undefined.

The code is wicked - it's the comment... ``` // If the object is undefined, return "Null" (IE <= 8) ``` should say // If the object is undefined, return "Undefined" (IE <= 8)

…

On Aug 9, 2011, at 5:11, ***@***.*** wrote: @angus-c why is it wrong? If `obj === null` then obj is `null`. If that check fails, if `obj == null` then obj must be `undefined`. ## Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub: https://gist.github.com/1131946

@angus-c hahaha thanks, fixed! I think I need more sleep.

I know this is ancient code, but for anyone stumbling on this today (mid 2014), note that PhantomJS currently returns "DomWindow" for both undefined and null (it's a known bug, but still)