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JavaScript

Posted by Travis Fulton
Travis Fulton
13,620 Points

e.target in JS vs. 'this' in jQuery

I'm wondering why 'this' isn't used instead of e.target in JS. I'm assuming that's just the way it works with eventListeners but wouldn't mind someone chiming in with some more explanation. In jQuery, $(this) is used to target the element being clicked in an event handler.

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

You can also use $(e.target) in jQuery. As to which to use, I think it depends on programming style. You need to be consistent about declaring "e" as a parameter in your handlers to use e.target, but you don't need a declared parameter to use this. On the other hand, you can't use this if you define your handler using an arrow function.

I prefer e.target personally, but I don't know that there's any general consensus about one way or the other to be a "best practice".

Travis Fulton
Travis Fulton
13,620 Points

That's interesting, thanks.