coldfusion - len(x) better or x NEQ "" better in CFML?

Question

This

<cfif len(x)>

Or

<cfif x NEQ "">

Which one is more efficient and readable? Function call vs comparing empty string?

Answer 1

I'm with Scott on this one:

<cfif len(trim(x))>

When you assign a database element to a variable, that has a "Null" value, or a single space, it will pass just the length test, the trim fixes that.

I only use just that if I'm in my own code and I'm positive that my variables have been declared. Often I'm abroad in another programmers problem however, so my test would look like:

<cfif isdefined('x') AND len(trim(x)) gt 0>

As for readability, it's not the prettiest, but it's the most thorough.