Check element presence in array

Question

What is the simplest way too check is some element presence to array?

I have following code:

 var val = "1";
 var arr = ["1", "2"];
 if($.inArray(val, arr)) {
 console.log("I am in!")
 } else {
 console.log("I am NOT here :( ")
 }

but it prints "1" is NOT at ["1", "2"] array! Please open my eyes - what is the problem here?

Answer 1

The $.inArray returns index of the matched element position which can range from 0 to (length - 1). So you should >= 0 as it is the first element it will be returning the index as 0.

var val = "1";
var arr = ["1", "2"];
if($.inArray(val, arr) >= 0) {
 console.log("I am in!")
} else {
 console.log("I am NOT here :( ")
}

• Kevin B: Very common mistake, the name implies a boolean return value.