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JavaScript jQuery Basics (2014) Creating a Simple Lightbox Perform: Part 1

Posted by Jenn Glas
Jenn Glas
9,475 Points

I don't understand why the console gets involved.

Why do we use the console at all?

//1. Capture the link event on a link to an image $("#imageGallery a").click(function(){ var href = $(this).attr("href"); console.log(href);

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,786 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,786 Points

The console can be a useful testing and/or teaching aid.

The console can be very handy for observing things happening in a program for debugging problems or teaching.

Here it is being used as a teaching aid to display the value that the previous line of code acquires from the DOM. As you suspected, this has no effect on functionality of the lightbox itself and only serves to convey an understanding of how it works.

Jenn Glas
Jenn Glas
9,475 Points

Ah ok, so we can just use it to just see what's going on? Is it necessary to keep? Thank you!

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,786 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,786 Points

As I said, in this particular case it is purely a teaching aid. Removing it will not affect the functionality of the light box.

Brandon Moore
Brandon Moore
10,266 Points
Brandon Moore
Brandon Moore
10,266 Points

I personally took it as to make sure when we do the overlay the href is successfully having the clicked item passed on to it.