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JavaScript JavaScript and the DOM (Retiring) Making Changes to the DOM Modifying Elements

Posted by Riley Goodman
Riley Goodman
3,603 Points

Step 1 is no longer passing... but it is?

I pass the first step, then submit the second. Then it says step 1 is no longer passing, so I go back and re-submit the first step without changing anything, and it passes. Both steps look correct to me. Also, no matter what I put into the second step, even if it's just a bunch of gibberish, It does the same thing.

app.js 
let inputValue = linkName.value;
index.html 
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <title>DOM Manipulation</title>
    </head>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
    <body>
        <div id="content">
            <label>Link Name:</label>
            <input type="text" id="linkName">
            <a id="link" href="https://teamtreehouse.com"></a>
        </div>
        <script src="app.js"></script>
    </body>
</html>
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

I see your task 1 code, but what is your complete answer for task 2?

Riley Goodman
Riley Goodman
3,603 Points

Task 2 answer: let inputValue = link.textContent;

I've also tried let inputValue = a.textContent; and some other stuff, but no matter what I do, it just tells me step 1 is no longer passing.

1 Answer

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

In mutliple-task challenges, each step builds on the previous one. It's important to leave the task 1 line as it is, and add the code for task 2 after it on a separate line.

And the task 2 instructions say, "Set the text content of the a tag to be the value stored in the variable inputValue." so this time the inputValue will be on the right side of the assignment.

Nate Baker
Nate Baker
17,247 Points
Nate Baker
Nate Baker
17,247 Points

Steven or Riley,

Thanks to your conversation, I arrived at the right answer: link.textContent = inputValue.

However, I'm still confused. How is link.textContent = inputValue different than Riley's (and mine) original answer of let inputValue = link.textContent? Aren't both statements setting inputValue to a new value?

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

Only "let inputValue = link.textContent" sets inputValue to a new value, but that's not what task 2 asks for.

But "link.textContent = inputValue" accomplishes the task 2 instructions to "Set the text content of the a tag...".

In an assignment statement (indicated by the "=" operator), only the item on the left side is changed. So the line created for task 1 sets inputValue, and the line for task 2 uses that value to set something else.