[jQuery] problems using variables instead of text with :contains()
I am a little confused on the syntax for :contains. I want to be able
to pass in a variable to the parameter for :contains. It can take
either quoted or non-quoted text, which on one hand can be convenient,
but on the other is difficult if you are trying to pass a variable.
Here is the test cases I came up with:
(all sections are meant to be commented out except the one being
tested)
// _______ adding a string directly into :contains ________
var $elements = $('a:contains(farm)'); // works fine: finds all
links that contain the text "farm" var $elements = $
('a:contains("farm")'); // works fine
// ________ adding a regular string variable to :contains _________
var searchText = "farm";
var $elements = $('a:contains(searchText)'); // doesn't work
(can't distinquish between a variable and text) var $elements = $
('a:contains(String(searchText))'); // doesn't work (I thought I would
try)
var $elements = $('a:contains("+searchText+")'); // doesn't
work
var $elements = $('a:contains('+searchText+')'); // works!
// __________ adding a jQuery object to :contains ____________
$('#search-box').keyup(function() {
var $searchText = $('#search-box').val();
var $searchResults = $('a:contains($searchText)'); // does
not work
var $searchResults = $('a:contains('+$searchText+')'); // works!
});
So, I figured out a solution, but I am not even clear why it works (I
found an example buried in these forums.) It seams that if :search()
required quoted parameters and unquoted parameters implied a variable,
then it would be much more intuitive. I am somewhat new to jQuery. It
is amazing and actually fun to program in. But I am not that familiar
with all of the subtleties.
Can anybody tell me why this solution works? Also, it would be great
if someone could update the documentation to provide an example
of :contains() that has a variable being passed in.
thanks