What is the proper way to select multiple elements in jQuery based on semantics?

Question

What is the proper way to select multiple elements in jQuery based on semantics?

One method I frequently employ is using classes to group related elements, such as:

<input value="10" class="sum-this" />
<input value="20" class="sum-this" />
<input value="30" class="sum-this" />

The sum-this class does not have any associated CSS and is not defined in any CSS files - it's solely utilized in jQuery like this:

var total = 0;
$(".sum-this").each(function(i, el){
  total += parseInt($(el).val());
});
console.log(total); // 60?

Is there a more appropriate way to achieve this? Would using another attribute like rel or data-* be better?

javascript jquery html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

Both @Pointy and @JustinPowell have highlighted the validity of this method in the comments. It is explicitly mentioned in the W3C HTML4 specification that utilizing the class attribute for purposes beyond styling selection is perfectly acceptable. This is emphasized by the following statement:

The class attribute serves to assign one or multiple class names to an element, indicating that the element pertains to these specific classes. A single class name can be shared among various instances of elements. The role of the class attribute in HTML includes:

Functioning as a selector for style sheets (allowing authors to apply style information to a group of elements).

Providing general functionality for user agents.

In addition, HTML5 introduced custom data-* attributes (where * represents a personalized string) for similar purposes.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

An informative blog post addressing related queries
Reference to W3C HTML4 attributes
Insight into the W3C HTML 5 data attribute

Answer 2

Both @Pointy and @JustinPowell have highlighted the validity of this method in the comments. It is explicitly mentioned in the W3C HTML4 specification that utilizing the class attribute for purposes beyond styling selection is perfectly acceptable. This is emphasized by the following statement:

The class attribute serves to assign one or multiple class names to an element, indicating that the element pertains to these specific classes. A single class name can be shared among various instances of elements. The role of the class attribute in HTML includes:

Functioning as a selector for style sheets (allowing authors to apply style information to a group of elements).

Providing general functionality for user agents.

In addition, HTML5 introduced custom data-* attributes (where * represents a personalized string) for similar purposes.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

An informative blog post addressing related queries
Reference to W3C HTML4 attributes
Insight into the W3C HTML 5 data attribute

Answer 3

Answer №2

One suggestion mentioned in the feedback is to exclusively use classes in JavaScript, which is acceptable. However, a helpful practice followed by my coworkers is to prefix any classes used solely for JavaScript functionality with 'js-'. This helps differentiate between classes utilized for styling and those specifically created for JavaScript purposes.

Answer 4

One suggestion mentioned in the feedback is to exclusively use classes in JavaScript, which is acceptable. However, a helpful practice followed by my coworkers is to prefix any classes used solely for JavaScript functionality with 'js-'. This helps differentiate between classes utilized for styling and those specifically created for JavaScript purposes.

Answer 5

Answer №3

Although your code is technically correct using classes, for better semantic structure I suggest utilizing data attributes. Classes are primarily used for styling, whereas data attributes were specifically designed for flexibility in associating data with elements without defined meaning.

You could structure your HTML as follows:

<input value="10" data-item="sum-this" />
<input value="20" data-item="sum-this" />
<input value="30" data-item="sum-this" />

And implement the jQuery like this:

var total = 0;
$('input[data-item="sum-this"]').each(function(i, el){
  total += parseInt($(el).val());
});
console.log(total);

Answer 6

Although your code is technically correct using classes, for better semantic structure I suggest utilizing data attributes. Classes are primarily used for styling, whereas data attributes were specifically designed for flexibility in associating data with elements without defined meaning.

You could structure your HTML as follows:

<input value="10" data-item="sum-this" />
<input value="20" data-item="sum-this" />
<input value="30" data-item="sum-this" />

And implement the jQuery like this:

var total = 0;
$('input[data-item="sum-this"]').each(function(i, el){
  total += parseInt($(el).val());
});
console.log(total);

Answer 7

Answer №4

With the improvement in browser capabilities such as getElementsByClassName, querySelector, and querySelectorAll for CSS syntax parsing, the importance of jQuery selector optimization has decreased.

Now, jQuery has shifted the selection burden to the browser by supporting most CSS3 selectors and even some non-standard ones, giving you the flexibility to choose the selector that best suits your needs.

Nevertheless, there are still key tips to bear in mind:

Prioritize using IDs where possible
Avoid relying solely on class selection
Avoid overly intricate selectors
Enhance specificity from left to right
Avoid repeating selectors unnecessarily

Answer 8

With the improvement in browser capabilities such as getElementsByClassName, querySelector, and querySelectorAll for CSS syntax parsing, the importance of jQuery selector optimization has decreased.

Now, jQuery has shifted the selection burden to the browser by supporting most CSS3 selectors and even some non-standard ones, giving you the flexibility to choose the selector that best suits your needs.

Nevertheless, there are still key tips to bear in mind:

Prioritize using IDs where possible
Avoid relying solely on class selection
Avoid overly intricate selectors
Enhance specificity from left to right
Avoid repeating selectors unnecessarily

Answer 9

Answer №5

It is completely acceptable to use classes on elements specifically for javascript functionality, as others have pointed out.

Instead of targeting elements with the class "sum-this" like this:

<input value="10" class="sum-this" />
<input value="20" class="sum-this" />
<input value="30" class="sum-this" />

You could target elements like this instead:

<input value="10" />
<input value="20" />
<input value="30" />

using the selector

document.querySelectorAll('input[value]');

Answer 10

It is completely acceptable to use classes on elements specifically for javascript functionality, as others have pointed out.

Instead of targeting elements with the class "sum-this" like this:

<input value="10" class="sum-this" />
<input value="20" class="sum-this" />
<input value="30" class="sum-this" />

You could target elements like this instead:

<input value="10" />
<input value="20" />
<input value="30" />

using the selector

document.querySelectorAll('input[value]');

What is the proper way to select multiple elements in jQuery based on semantics?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

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