/**
 * For a given element, this function removes it AND its children
 * @param elem The element to remove.
 */
export function removeElement(elem: Element | null): void {
  if (elem === null) {
    // tslint:disable-next-line:no-console
    console.debug("The element passed into 'removeElement' was null.");

    return;
  }
  if (!(elem instanceof Element)) {
    // tslint:disable-next-line:no-console
    console.debug("The element passed into 'removeElement' was not an instance of an Element.");

    return;
  }

  while (elem.firstChild !== null) {
    elem.removeChild(elem.firstChild);
  }

  if (elem.parentNode !== null) {
    elem.parentNode.removeChild(elem);
  }
}
