difference between prop() and attr() in jQuery and when to use attr() and prop()

jquery attr prop
PSR picture PSR · Apr 17, 2013 · Viewed 96.9k times · Source

I saw in some places .attr() is used in jQuery.In some places .prop() is used.But i searched in SO and google i am very confused .Please tell me the exact difference between these two and when to use them.

I have seen the following links jQuery attr vs. prop, there are a list of props? jQuery attr vs prop?

But I did not got the answer.Please help me.Thanks in advance.

Before giving a downvote please explain the reason, then I will correct in my next post.

Answer

bipen picture bipen · Apr 17, 2013

from docs

The difference between attributes and properties can be important in specific situations. Before jQuery 1.6, the .attr() method sometimes took property values into account when retrieving some attributes, which could cause inconsistent behavior. As of jQuery 1.6, the .prop() method provides a way to explicitly retrieve property values, while .attr() retrieves attributes.

example

For example, selectedIndex, tagName, nodeName, nodeType, ownerDocument, defaultChecked, and defaultSelected should be retrieved and set with the .prop() method. Prior to jQuery 1.6, these properties were retrievable with the .attr() method, but this was not within the scope of attr. These do not have corresponding attributes and are only properties.

updated after comment

You can set an attribute for HTML element. You define it while writing the source code, once the browser parse your code, corresponding DOM node will be created which is an object thus having properties.

Simple example can be..

<input type="test" value="test" id="test" />

Here type, value, id are attributes.Once browser renders it, you will get other properties like align, alt, autofocus, baseURI, checked and so on.

link if you want to read more on this

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