Question

So, I’m writing a new JavaScript algorithm, codenamed jBam (Javascript Browser Algorithm Module), and it is used to write an extremely simple way to detect a browser and it’s version. My main goal, is to be able to write this (with the library plugged in):

if(IE & version lessThan 9) {
    // IE code for 8 and below
}

Right now, progress is going pretty good. I can write

if(browser == IE & version < 9)

So, back to my original question, the only thing I want to know is maybe someway set a variable for lessThan and set it equal to the symbol <. I’ve tried probably the most common remedy (var lessThan = <) but, of course, that’s a little too wishful, and a little too easy. And, as we all know, nothing is ever too easy. Any suggestions, maybe a JavaScript preserve I’m not thinking of?

Answer 1

I agree with @JCOC611, but it’s also possible that you make everything part of an object, and then make version an object as a property as well, where you can add a method called lessThan, so you would have something like:

var browserStuff = {
    browser: {
        value: "",
        is: function (comparator) {
            if (browserStuff.browser.value == comparator) {
                return true;
            }
            return false;
        }
    },
    version: {
        value: "",
        lessThan: function (comparator) {
            if (browserStuff.version.value < comparator) {
                return true;
            }
            return false;
        }
    },
    init: function () {
        // Do your stuff to determine the browser and its version
        // You need to set browserStuff.version.value and browserStuff.browser.value
        delete browserStuff.init;
    }
}.init();

And then use it like:

if (browserStuff.browser.is("IE")) {

}

or

if (browserStuff.version.lessThan("7")) {

}

You’d have to add more things for “greater than” and “not equals” and whatnot, but that’s just to start it off.

I don’t exactly suggest this, because you can just as easily use normal Javascript operators to accomplish the same thing with less redundant code. This solution is more for a “readable” theme, but is in no way necessary or better.