Short-circuit evaluation

Learn how && and || short-circuit values and the patterns based on it.

Short-circuit evaluation

In JavaScript && (and) and || (or) do not just return true/false; they return one of the two values. This behavior is called short-circuit evaluation.

&& returns the left side when it is falsy, otherwise the right side: 0 && "x" gives 0. || returns the left side when it is truthy, otherwise the right side: "a" || "b" gives "a". So || sets defaults and && guards access.

Default and guard patterns

Short-circuit is used in two common patterns. First, a default value: const name = input || "Guest";. When input is empty, name becomes "Guest" automatically.

Second, a guard: user && user.name. If user is null or undefined, && returns the left side and user.name is never accessed, so no error occurs. When user exists, the right side runs and the name is returned.

Exercise Default value pattern

Set userName to an empty string "". Set displayName to userName || "Guest". Print displayName.

Show example solution

const userName = "";
const displayName = userName || "Guest";
console.log(displayName);

Exercise Guard pattern

Set user to the object { name: "Alex" }. Set name to user && user.name. Print name.

Show example solution

const user = { name: "Alex" };
const name = user && user.name;
console.log(name);

Test yourself

What does "" || "Guest" evaluate to?
```
"" || "Guest"
```
- ""
- "Guest"
- true
- false
Show answer

"Guest" — Correct. The left side is an empty string (falsy), so || returns the right side.

Give a default value

const userName = "";
const displayName = userName ____ "Guest";
console.log(displayName);

Show answer

const userName = "";
const displayName = userName || "Guest";
console.log(displayName);

Match expression to result

0 || "x"

"x"
"a" && "b"

"b"
null || 5

5
0 && "y"

0

Next lesson: Nullish coalescing

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