Object.is()

The Object.is() method determines whether two values are the same value.

Syntax

Object.is(value1, value2);

Parameters

value1
The first value to compare.
value2
The second value to compare.

Return value

A Boolean indicating whether or not the two arguments are the same value.

Description

Object.is() determines whether two values are the same value. Two values are the same if one of the following holds:

  • both undefined
  • both null
  • both true or both false
  • both strings of the same length with the same characters
  • both the same object
  • both numbers and
    • both +0
    • both -0
    • both NaN
    • or both non-zero and both not NaN and both have the same value

This is not the same as being equal according to the == operator. The == operator applies various coercions to both sides (if they are not the same Type) before testing for equality (resulting in such behavior as "" == false being true), but Object.is doesn't coerce either value.

This is also not the same as being equal according to the === operator. The === operator (and the == operator as well) treats the number values -0 and +0 as equal and treats Number.NaN as not equal to NaN.

Examples

Object.is('foo', 'foo');     // true
Object.is(window, window);   // true
Object.is('foo', 'bar');     // false
Object.is([], []);           // false
var test = { a: 1 };
Object.is(test, test);       // true
Object.is(null, null);       // true
// Special Cases
Object.is(0, -0);            // false
Object.is(-0, -0);           // true
Object.is(NaN, 0/0);         // true

Polyfill

if (!Object.is) {
  Object.is = function(x, y) {
    // SameValue algorithm
    if (x === y) { // Steps 1-5, 7-10
      // Steps 6.b-6.e: +0 != -0
      return x !== 0 || 1 / x === 1 / y;
    } else {
     // Step 6.a: NaN == NaN
     return x !== x && y !== y;
    }
  };
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Object.is' in that specification.
Standard Initial definition.
ECMAScript Latest Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Object.is' in that specification.
Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 30 (Yes) 22 (22) No support (Yes) 9
Feature Android Chrome for Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support No support ? (Yes) 22.0 (22) No support No support 9

See also