Removing $() jQuery wrapper to just get raw JS element

Question

Random just out of curiosity question:

Let's say for whatever reason I get an element back from a function

$(element)

But I want to remove the $( __ ) jQuery wrapper to leave the regular DOM Element:

element

Is this possible? (I'm sure it'd be smart to test $(element).length() to make sure it isn't more than 1 thing inside beforehand too...

`$(element).length` is much better if you want to check if it has more than 1 element. — Selvakumar Arumugam, Sep 28 '12 at 14:47
Ah that's what I meant to type, doesn't `.size()` just end up calling it anyway now? — Mark Pieszak - Trilon.io, Sep 28 '12 at 14:48
Yes, but using `.size` is simply an extra function call which is unnecessary. — Selvakumar Arumugam, Sep 28 '12 at 14:49
Very true, wow this was much more of a newb question than I even expected :/ haha for some reason I've never had to do this before... Is there an easy way to **test** if it is even a jQuery object to begin with? — Mark Pieszak - Trilon.io, Sep 28 '12 at 14:51
I'm done with noob questions for the day... haha. How'd that cross-domain AJAX thing turn out btw? — Mark Pieszak - Trilon.io, Sep 28 '12 at 14:57

score 21 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 28 '12 at 14:46

21

var firstElem = $(element)[0];

or

var firstElem = $(element).get(0);

Calling get() without an index gives you an array of the elements.

answered Sep 28 '12 at 14:46

epascarello

Sad, I knew about just doing `$(element)[0]` too haha... thank god it's friday I need a break haha. Any reason to use `.get()` over `.toArray()`, or vice versa? – Mark Pieszak - Trilon.io Sep 28 '12 at 15:00
@mcpDESIGNS: Just to be clear, I don't think epascarello is actually suggesting the form of `$(element)[0]`, which makes no sense to use. You'd only need `[0]` or `.get(0)` when you've been given a previously constructed jQuery object. – I Hate Lazy Sep 28 '12 at 15:08
Yeah I know you guys meant that you can break it down by `[0]` the first element. Appreciate it fellas! – Mark Pieszak - Trilon.io Sep 28 '12 at 15:10
@mcpDESIGNS: The `.get()` method lets you grab an element at a particular index. If you don't provide an index, it returns an Array of all the elements. The `.toArray()` method only returns an Array. So `x[0]` is equivalent to `x.get(0)` and `x.toArray()` is equivalent to `x.get()`. Advantage `toArray()` has is its meaningful name. Advantage `[0]` has is that it avoids the function call. – I Hate Lazy Sep 28 '12 at 15:14

I Hate Lazy · Answer 2 · 2012-09-28T15:02:49.913

6

DOM elements are stored as properties at numeric zero-based indices, so you access them just like you would for any other object.

$jqObj[0];

Or get a full Array of elements using toArray()

$jqObj.toArray();

edited Sep 28 '12 at 15:02

answered Sep 28 '12 at 14:46

I Hate Lazy

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 28 '12 at 15:36

0

removeJWrapper($('#ohHeyo'));

function removeJWrapper (el) {
    console.log(el[0]);
}

edited Sep 28 '12 at 15:36

NullUserException

answered Sep 28 '12 at 14:51

thingEvery

1

Post code into the message, do not just link to a 3rd party site. – epascarello Sep 28 '12 at 14:58

3 Answers3