Shorthand for multiple 'or' condition checks

Use this shortcut to do multiple checks in one go.

You have seen an or condition a billion times before, haven’t you?

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const fruit = "apple";
let shape;
if (fruit == "apple" || fruit == "orange" || fruit == "water melon") {
  shape = "round";
}
console.log(shape); // round

We use or conditions quite a bit, and there is a way to streamline that code.

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const fruit = "apple";
let shape;
if (["apple", "orange", "water melon"].indexOf(fruit) >= 0) {
  shape = "round";
}
console.log(shape); // round

Or, you could use an object.

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const fruit = "apple";
let shape;
if ({ apple: true, orange: true, "water melon": true }[fruit] >= 0) {
  shape = "round";
}
console.log(shape); // round

These methods are particularly useful when you have to run your values through a set of validation rules. Instead of using nested if or switch statements, you can use a simple array or object to make your code more readable.

Shorthand for multiple 'or' condition checks

See Also