Common conversion pitfalls
Learn common number-conversion mistakes and how to avoid them.
The NaN trap
When Number() receives a string it cannot convert, it returns NaN. For example Number("abc") gives NaN.
The trap is this: NaN is a number type, and when it enters a math operation it keeps the result NaN. NaN + 5 is still NaN. Worse, NaN === NaN returns false. That is why you always check for NaN with Number.isNaN(). This way bad input does not spread silently.
Empty string becomes zero
Another common trap for counters: Number("") returns 0. So an empty user input can be confused with 0.
To prevent this you first look at whether the input is empty or invalid. The rule is: catch empty input with if (input === ""); catch invalid input with else if (Number.isNaN(Number(input))); in the remaining case use the real number. This order prevents unexpected zeros.
Exercise Safe number parser
Define a function called safeParse. It should take an input parameter. Inside, convert to a number with let n = Number(input). Then check for NaN with if (Number.isNaN(n)); if it is NaN, return 0. Otherwise, finally return n to give the number back.
Show example solution
function safeParse(input) {
let n = Number(input);
if (Number.isNaN(n)) {
return 0;
}
return n;
}Exercise Test three input kinds
The safeParse function below is defined. Now call it with three values and print the result: console.log(safeParse("42")), console.log(safeParse("abc")) and console.log(safeParse("")). Put each call on its own line.
Show example solution
function safeParse(input) {
let n = Number(input);
if (Number.isNaN(n)) {
return 0;
}
return n;
}
console.log(safeParse("42"));
console.log(safeParse("abc"));
console.log(safeParse(""));Test yourself
-
What does Number("abc") return?
console.log(Number("abc"));- NaN
- 0
- undefined
- "abc"
Show answer
NaN — Correct. Number() returns NaN because it cannot convert the string.
-
Add the NaN check
let n = Number(input); if (____(n)) { console.log("Invalid"); }Show answer
let n = Number(input); if (Number.isNaN(n)) { console.log("Invalid"); } -
Match the conversion result
- Number("abc")
- NaN (letters)
- Number("")
- 0 (empty)
- Number("42")
- 42 (number)
- Number("42px")
- NaN (mixed)