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How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

in Developing jQuery Plugins • 11 years ago

Here is small plugin to show where I am having an issue.
Obviously this just prints the current selector to the console.

(function ($) {
$.fn.testSelector = function () {
console.log(this.selector);
}
}(jQuery));

Everything works how I would expect it to in the following example.

$('#myid > p').mouseup(function(){
$('#myid').testSelector();
}); // prints #myid

This prints #myid in console just like it is suppose to.

However if I use the $(this) it returns an empty string.

$('#myid > p').mouseup(function(){
$(this).testSelector();
}); // prints an empty string

This make sense, as 'this' is referring to the selected DOM object, though it is very inconvenient.
The plug-in I have been working on requires having access to the selector string in both scenarios.

I am wonder if any body know of a way of consistently passing or storing the selector string in a way that can be accessed from $(this)?

Any help would be appreciated.

Replies(3)

jakecigar

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

11 years ago

Inside a jQuery you may or may not have access to .selector . But you seem to have noticed that already.

You could save off this.selector into a variable, and refer to it later.

(function ($) {
$.fn.doMagic = function () {
var theSelector= this.selector || '.noSelector' + +(new Date())
return this.mouseup(function(){
console.log(theSelector + ‘ mouseup')
})
}
})(jQuery);

kbwood.au

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

11 years ago

Why do you need the selector itself? Within the plugin you have access to the collection of elements resulting from the selector - can't you use that instead?

hcoat

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

11 years ago

Thank you for the replies.

The web app I am working on loads varying content that is updated regularly, This is used by several user all of whom may be interested in different data. The app allow them to select, highlight and track the data that is applicable to them. I have made a plugin that uses the selector string to save selection sets to a cookie so that users selection are load when they return. Saving these selection sets as a jQuery selector string is ideal because of the small size and how quickly they are parsed. I know that of few other ways I could accomplish this none are as efficient or as easily implemented. Everything works perfectly as long as the selector string is include, but I am sure that once I pass the code along somebody will use $(this) and break the selection sets that have been saved in the cookie.

I am very happy with how is works but can't help feeling that is half bake solution if I have to have to instruct other developer not to use $(this). I am guessing I am just out of luck, but if anyone comes up with any additional Ideas that would be great.

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How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

Replies(3)

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

Re: How can I pass the selector so it would be accessible from $(this) ?

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