fastest way to check if a container has any content

JavaScript performance comparison

Test case created by Simon Harte

Info

Most use $(element).children().length > 0 but I wonder if there's a much faster way if you just have to check for any content to be present.

Preparation code

<ul id="container">
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<script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script>
  Benchmark.prototype.setup = function() {
    var container = document.getElementById('container'),
        $container = $(container);
  };
</script>

Preparation code output

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Testing in unknown unknown
Test Ops/sec
Common jQuery way
 
$container.children().length > 0;
 pending…
pure JS way
 
container.childNodes.length > 0;
 pending…
jQuery check for first only
 
$container.children('first-child').length > 0;
 pending…
js check for first only
 
container.firstChild.length > 0;
 pending…
jQuery check content string
 
$container.html().length > 0;
 pending…
js check content string
 
container.innerHTML.length > 0;
 pending…
Check if is parent
 
$container.is(':parent');
 pending…

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