freeCodeCamp/guide/english/certifications/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/basic-javascript/comparison-with-the-strict-equality-operator/index.md

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title: Comparison with the strict equality operator
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# Comparison with the strict equality operator


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## Problem Explanation
· _Use the strict equality operator in the `if` statement so the function will return "Equal" when `val` is strictly equal to `7`._


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## Hints

### Hint 1
Remember from last exercise that _equality is different from assignment (`=`), which assigns the value at the right of the operator to a variable in the left._<sup><a href="#cite1">1</a></sup>

### Hint 2
_Unlike the equality operator, which attempts to convert both values being compared to a common type, the strict equality operator does not perform a type conversion._<sup><a href="#cite2">2</a></sup>


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## Solutions

<details><summary>Solution 1 (Click to Show/Hide)</summary>

```javascript
// Setup
function testStrict(val) {
  if (val === 7) {
    // Change this line
    return "Equal";
  }
  return "Not equal";
}

// Change this value to test
testStrict(10);
```

#### Code Explanation
The function first evaluates `if` the condition `(val === 7)` evaluates to `true`. If it does, it returns the statement between the curly braces ("Equal"). If it doesn't, it returns the next `return` statement outside them ("Not equal"). 

#### Relevant Links
<span id="cite1">1</span>. ["Basic JavaScript: Comparison with the Equality Operator", fCC lesson at *JavaScript Algorithms And Data Structures Certification*](https://learn.freecodecamp.org/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/basic-javascript/comparison-with-the-equality-operator)

<span id="cite2">2</span>. ["Basic JavaScript: Comparison with the Strict Equality Operator", fCC lesson at *JavaScript Algorithms And Data Structures Certification*](https://learn.freecodecamp.org/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/basic-javascript/comparison-with-the-strict-equality-operator)

#### Relevant Links

- ["if...else" - *MDN JavaScript reference*](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Statements/if...else)

- [Kondov, Alexander. "Understanding JS: Coercion". *Hackernoon*](https://hackernoon.com/understanding-js-coercion-ff5684475bfc), Accessed 15 Sep. 2018

- ["Comparison operators" - *MDN JavaScript reference*](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Comparison_Operators)

</details>