so have a valid
return value of &#8220;&#8221; or 0, which would evaluate to FALSE in loose
comparisons. Be explicit by comparing the variable type when using these
return values in conditionals to ensure the return value is indeed what
you expect, and not a value that has an equivalent loose-type
evaluation.</p>
<p>Use the same stringency in returning and checking your own variables.
Use <strong>===</strong> and <strong>!==</strong> as necessary.</p>
<p><strong>INCORRECT</strong>:</p>
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