Check if an array is empty or not in JavaScript

In this article, we will check f an array is empty or not in Javascript. We have many methods to do this, some of which are described below.

Method 1: Using array.isArray() method and array.length property.

The array can be checked if it is actually an array and if it exists by the Array.isArray() method. This method returns true if the Object passed as a parameter is an array. It also checks for the case if the array is undefined or null. 

The array can be checked if it is empty by using the array.length property. This property returns the number of elements in the array. If the number is greater than 0, it evaluates to true. 

This method and property can be both used together with the AND(&&) operator to determine whether the array exists and is not empty. 

Syntax:

Array.isArray(emptyArray) && emptyArray.length

Example: This example shows the above-explained approach.

html

<h1 style="color: green">
    GeeksforGeeks
</h1>

<b>
    Check if an array is empty or exists
</b>

<p>
    Click on the button to check if
    array exists and is not empty
</p>

<p>emptyArray = []</p>
<p>nonExistantArray = undefined</p>
<p>fineArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]</p>

<p>
    Output for emptyArray:
    <span class="output-empty"></span>
</p>

<p>
    Output for nonExistantArray:
    <span class="output-non"></span>
</p>

<p>
    Output for fineArray:
    <span class="output-ok"></span>
</p>

<button onclick="checkArray()">
    Check Array
</button>

<script type="text/javascript">
    function checkArray() {
        let emptyArray = [];
        let nonExistantArray = undefined;
        let fineArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

        if (Array.isArray(emptyArray) && emptyArray.length)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-empty').textContent = output;

        if (Array.isArray(nonExistantArray) && nonExistantArray.length)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-non').textContent = output;

        if (Array.isArray(fineArray) && fineArray.length)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-ok').textContent = output;
    }
</script>

Output:

Check if an array is empty or not

Method 2: Checking the type and length of the array:

The array can be checked if it exists by checking if the type of the array is ‘undefined’ with the typeof operator. The array is also checked if it is ‘null’. These two things verify that the array exists. 

The array can be checked if it is empty by using the array.length property. By checking if the property exists, it can make sure that it is an array, and by checking if the length returned is greater than 0, it can be made sure that the array is not empty. 

These properties can then be used together with the AND(&&) operator to determine whether the array exists and is not empty. 

Syntax:

typeof emptyArray != "undefined" && emptyArray != null && emptyArray.length != null
&& emptyArray.length > 0

Example:

html

<h1 style="color: green">
    GeeksforGeeks
</h1>

<b>
    Check if an array is
    empty or exists
</b>

<p>
    Click on the button to check if
    array exists and is not empty
</p>

<p>emptyArray = []</p>
<p>nonExistantArray = undefined</p>
<p>fineArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]</p>

<p>Output for emptyArray:
    <span class="output-empty"></span>
</p>

<p>
    Output for nonExistantArray:
    <span class="output-non"></span>
</p>

<p>
    Output for fineArray:
    <span class="output-ok"></span>
</p>

<button onclick="checkArray()">
    Check Array
</button>

<script type="text/javascript">
    function checkArray() {
        let emptyArray = [];
        let nonExistantArray = undefined;
        let fineArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

        if (typeof emptyArray != "undefined"
                    && emptyArray != null
                    && emptyArray.length != null
                    && emptyArray.length > 0)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-empty').textContent
                = output;

        if (typeof nonExistantArray != "undefined"
                    && nonExistantArray != null
                    && nonExistantArray.length != null
                    && nonExistantArray.length > 0)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-non').textContent
                = output;

        if (typeof fineArray != "undefined"
                    && fineArray != null
                    && fineArray.length != null
                    && fineArray.length > 0)
            output = true;
        else
            output = false;

        document.querySelector('.output-ok').textContent
                = output;
    }
</script>

Output:

Check if an array is empty or not

JavaScript is best known for web page development but it is also used in a variety of non-browser environments. You can learn JavaScript from the ground up by following this JavaScript Tutorial and JavaScript Examples.