Values can be retrieved from an object by wrapping a string expression in a [ ] suffix. If the string expression is a string literal, and if it is a legal JavaScript name and not a reserved word, then the . notation can be used instead. The . notation is preferred because it is more compact and it reads better:

stooge["first-name"]     // "Jerome"
flight.departure.IATA    // "SYD"

The undefined value is produced if an attempt is made to retrieve a nonexistent member:

stooge["middle-name"]    // undefined
flight.status            // undefined
stooge["FIRST-NAME"]     // undefined

The || operator can be used to fill in default values:

var middle = stooge["middle-name"] || "(none)";
var status = flight.status || "unknown";

Attempting to retrieve values from undefined will throw a TypeError exception. This can be guarded against with the && operator:

flight.equipment                              // undefined
flight.equipment.model                        // throw "TypeError"
flight.equipment && flight.equipment.model    // undefined