Here's a very simple question... can I add/chain the JS method .split() to jQuery's .val() method? For example...

var myNewArray =  $("#myString").val().split(",");

I seem to get $("#myString").val().split is not a function in Firebug? I thought I could chain my JS and jQuery methods, perhaps I was wrong?

Thanks

Here's a very simple question... can I add/chain the JS method .split() to jQuery's .val() method? For example...

var myNewArray =  $("#myString").val().split(",");

I seem to get $("#myString").val().split is not a function in Firebug? I thought I could chain my JS and jQuery methods, perhaps I was wrong?

Thanks

• javascript
• jquery

• 2 That depends on what $("#myString").val() returns which in return depends on what the element with ID myString is. If the return value is a string, then of course yes. If it is an array, then no. – Felix Kling Commented Apr 18, 2012 at 12:10
• 3 What kind of HTML element are you doing .val() on? The behaviour of .val() may vary. Specifically it may return null for a <select> that allows multiple selections if there are no selected options. – Christoffer Commented Apr 18, 2012 at 12:10
• So we#re saying I should check that $("#myString").val() isn't a null falsy (I should check it isn't null before splitting). – Mike Sav Commented Apr 18, 2012 at 12:12
• For me, your code works fine. See demo jsfiddle/dwF9t – Snake Eyes Commented Apr 18, 2012 at 12:12
• prof jsfiddle/eD75c/1 – Yorgo Commented Apr 18, 2012 at 12:13

4 Answers 4

Why don't you have a look at the documentation? It says:

Returns: String, Number, Array

So you can use .split() in 30% (to be more precise: 33.33...%) of the cases. It depends on which element you are using .val() on.

So the answer to your question is: It depends.

yes you can the val() return a string so its not jQuery when chaining after that , check the jquery refrence , and about chaining jquery with javascript the answer is no in most cases , because most jquery methods returns a jquery object not a DOM element or primitive javascript type , but in this case your returning a string , so everything should be fine

Perhaps your selector can't find an element and it returns an empty jQuery object. When you call val() method on this object you'll get undefined.

You can use .val().split(","). But I have question what is in #myString. If it is label then you have to write like this :

$(#myString).text().split(" ");