Why do we need elem.getAttribute && bit?

Even if we need it, maybe ternary would be better -

elem.getAttribute ? elem.getAttribute( "class" ) : ""

then && & || magic

We need the check because we have tests supporting some silent fails. The proposed alternative differs in logic. This way still returns an empty string in the case where getAttribute does not exist.

We need the check because we have tests supporting some silent fails

Could you post the link?

This way still returns an empty string in the case where getAttribute does not exist.

Oh, same returned type, okay, cool

I realised I said that wrong, but you got what I meant. getAttribute can return null and this ensures we return a string.

I realised I said the wrong, but you got what I meant. getAttribute can return null and this ensures we return a string.

Aaam, if you said something wrong, i didn't notice :-), i meant it is good if some function always returns the same type.
I wondering about what tests we wouldn't pass though, if it would be just elem.getAttribute( "class" ) || ""?

Here's the test that fails without the check https://github.com/jquery/jquery/blob/master/test/unit/attributes.js#L1073