[jQuery] Best way to add attributes/extend element

[jQuery] Best way to add attributes/extend element


When you need for a certain element (say a text input box) to
remember some data, what is the best way to do this? Can you extend
the input box object with jquery? Right now i've been storing it in
the rel tag $('#testInput').attr('rel','extrainfo') it just seems like
there should be a better way to do this. Any suggestions?