Understanding console.log in JavaScript: Why Returning It Leads to undefined

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The Challenge: Understanding the Function

Consider a simple task where you are asked to create a function to look up a profile in an array of contact objects. Here’s a condensed version of the problem:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In your original implementation, you might experience unexpected behavior where instead of logging the property value, you get undefined.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Function Purpose: To return a property value from an object based on a profile name.

Result: This leads to confusion and unexpected results when you expect a proper value.

Correcting the Approach

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Changes Made:

Logging Before Return: This ensures that you capture what you want to see in the console without disrupting the return value of the function.

Understanding Logical Operators (||)

You might also be wondering how the || operator works in this context. The expression contacts[i][prop] || 'No such property' utilizes a logical "or" operator:

If contacts[i][prop] returns a truthy value, that value will be returned.

If it's undefined (or any falsy value), the string 'No such property' will be returned instead.

This acts as a safety net, ensuring users receive feedback even in cases where the requested property does not exist.

Conclusion

If you apply these practices, you'll streamline your debugging process and develop a deeper understanding of JavaScript.