Navigating the Web with is.browser and is.not_browser in JavaScript: Your Go-To Tools for Browser Checks
Tags: javascript, typescript, webdev, beginners
Published: 2023-11-10 21:02:29

JavaScript, the language of the web, often finds itself in the browser, where websites come to life. But how can you be sure if your code is indeed running in a browser environment? Enter the superheroes of browser detection: `is.browser` and `is.not_browser` from the 'thiis' package. In this article, we'll embark on a journey to explore these tools and learn how they can be your guides to ensuring a smooth web experience.

## The Web's Playground

Before we dive into the world of browser detection, let's take a moment to appreciate the vast playground that is the web. JavaScript plays a crucial role in adding interactivity and dynamism to websites, making it essential to know when your code is running in a browser environment.

## Meet `is.browser` - Your Browser Detective
[Documentation link](https://karbashevskyi.github.io/thiis/docs/API/Browser/is.browser)

Imagine you're crafting code that's destined for the web. The `is.browser` method acts as your trusty detective, ensuring that your script is indeed running in a browser. Let's see it in action:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis'; // Import the "is" object from the "thiis" package

const isRunningInBrowser = is.browser();

console.log(isRunningInBrowser); // true (if running in a browser)
```

In this example, we import the "is" object from the "thiis" package and use the `is.browser` method to confirm whether the code is running in a browser. If it is, the method returns `true`; otherwise, it returns `false`.

## The Web Journey of Examples

Now, let's embark on a journey through various scenarios where `is.browser` and `is.not_browser` can shine. We'll explore six unique examples, including exciting ones.

### 1. **Embracing Browser-Specific Logic with `is.browser`**

When you have logic that's specifically for the browser, you can use `is.browser` to ensure it runs only in that environment:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';

if (is.browser()) {
  // Your browser-specific code goes here.
  console.log('Hello, Browser!');
} else {
  console.log('This is not a browser environment.');
}
```

### 2. **Server-Side Safety with `is.not_browser`**

On the server side, where a browser-specific code might cause issues, you can use `is.not_browser` for safety:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';

if (is.not_browser()) {
  // Your server-side code remains safe.
  console.log('Running on the server.');
} else {
  console.log('This is a browser environment.');
}
```

### 3. **Browser-Only Event Handling with `is.browser`**

When attaching event listeners in the browser, you want to ensure it's happening in a browser environment. Use `is.browser` for event handling assurance:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';

if (is.browser()) {
  document.getElementById('myButton').addEventListener('click', () => {
    console.log('Button clicked in the browser!');
  });
}
```

### 4. **Node.js Server Exclusivity with `is.not_browser`**

In a Node.js environment, where browser-specific code might not make sense, you can use `is.not_browser` to exclude it:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';

if (is.not_browser()) {
  // Your Node.js server-side code here.
  console.log('Running in a Node.js environment.');
} else {
  console.log('This is a browser environment.');
}
```

### 5. **Browser-Safe Stream Handling with `is.browser`**

Let's explore a scenario involving `stream$` from RxJS. Using `filter` and `is.browser`, we can ensure that the stream processes values only in a browser environment:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';
import { fromEvent } from 'rxjs';
import { filter } from 'rxjs/operators';

const clickStream$ = fromEvent(document, 'click');

clickStream$
  .pipe(
    filter(is.browser)
  )
  .subscribe(() => {
    console.log('Click event detected in the browser!');
  });
```

In this example, the `filter(is.browser)` ensures that the click event is processed only when the code is running in a browser.

### 6. **Array Navigation with `is.not_browser`**

Arrays can also benefit from browser detection. Use `is.not_browser` to include code that's relevant outside of the browser:

```javascript
import { is } from 'thiis';

const serverArray = ['server', 'array', 'elements'];
const browserArray = ['browser', 'array', 'elements'];

const processArray = is.not_browser() ? serverArray : browserArray;

console.log(processArray);
```

In this case, the `is.not_browser()` check helps determine which array to process based on the environment.

## The Adventure Continues

The `is.browser` and `is.not_browser` methods from the 'thiis' package are your trusty companions in the web development journey. They make browser detection playful and precise, ensuring your code interacts seamlessly with the browser environment. By adding the 'thiis' package to your JavaScript toolkit and exploring its documentation for more tips and examples, you can navigate the web landscape with confidence and a sense of exploration.

So, keep coding, and may your web adventures be full of delightful discoveries!

>🎗 ChatGPT & DALL·E 3